Bangladesh is experiencing its deadliest measles outbreak in decades, with child deaths approaching 1,000 as the highly contagious disease overwhelms hospitals across the country. At least 986 children have died since March, while suspected and confirmed cases have surpassed 180,000 according to health ministry data. More than 1,000 suspected cases are reported each day.
At Dhaka’s Shishu Hospital, crowded measles wards are filled with infants and young children struggling with the infection and its complications. Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes and has no specific treatment once contracted. Young children face particular vulnerability to severe complications including brain swelling and serious breathing problems. Parents describe harrowing scenes, with some recounting multiple child deaths witnessed during single hospital visits.
The nation of 170 million has launched a mass vaccination campaign to combat the outbreak, but case numbers continue to surge. Children admitted to hospital report complications ranging from pneumonia to pneumonia-related measles co-infections requiring extended intensive care stays.