Bangladesh measles death toll rises to 1,196 as seven more children die in 24 hours
Seven more children have died with measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh, taking the outbreak's combined suspected and confirmed death toll to 1,196 as experts warn the wave could continue for at least another month.
Seven more children have died with measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to 8am on Sunday, taking the combined measles death toll to 1,196, according to official figures.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) classified all seven of the latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The suspected death tally has now risen to 1,092, while laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remain at 104.
Another 1,254 suspected cases were reported in the same period, taking the cumulative suspected caseload to 213,244, while 65 new confirmed infections raised the confirmed total to 23,122.
Since 15 March, 189,484 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised across Bangladesh; 181,756 have recovered and been discharged, DGHS data shows.
Benazir Ahmed, former DGHS director of disease control, told The Daily Star last week that despite vaccine procurement resuming through UNICEF in April and an emergency vaccination drive, the outbreak is unlikely to be contained quickly given the speed of transmission. Experts have linked the resurgence to gaps in earlier vaccination coverage and delays in detecting and isolating infected children.
Speaking to The Daily Star, public health expert Mushtuq Husain said children generally require three to four weeks after vaccination to develop sufficient immunity: “Therefore, the current wave of infections, hospitalisations and deaths may continue for at least another month.”
Sources
More on this topic: all Health stories
