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Hundreds of Children Die as Measles Grips Bangladesh
9 Sep
Summary
- Measles outbreak killed 999 children since the start of the year.
- Vaccination coverage dropped from 93% to 86% in recent years.
- Pandemic and political upheaval disrupted vaccine campaigns.
A severe measles outbreak has led to nearly 1,000 child deaths in Bangladesh since the beginning of 2026. This alarming surge follows significant setbacks in the country's vaccination program. Healthcare facilities in Dhaka are overwhelmed with sick children, many suffering from life-threatening complications.
The nation has recorded over 166,000 suspected measles cases this year, prompting an emergency vaccination campaign in March. This initiative, supported by the WHO and UNICEF, initially focused on young children but expanded nationwide. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is hampered by reduced vaccination coverage.
Vaccination rates for the second dose of the measles vaccine have fallen to 86% from 93% in 2024. This decline is largely attributed to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and a missed national vaccination campaign in 2024 due to political upheaval. Health officials are struggling to manage the influx of severely ill patients, facing exhaustion after months of continuous treatment.
