Seven more children have died from measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to 8am on Saturday (12 September), pushing the country’s combined confirmed and suspected measles-related death toll to 1,019 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the total deaths, 919 are suspected measles-related fatalities, while 100 deaths have been laboratory-confirmed, DGHS data showed.
The country also recorded 816 new suspected measles cases during the 24-hour period, taking the nationwide cumulative number of suspected cases to 170,638.
Meanwhile, 39 new laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed measles infections to 20,006.
Since March 15, a total of 150,202 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country. Of them, 144,485 have recovered, according to the latest DGHS figures.
The continuing rise in suspected cases and deaths highlights the growing pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system as authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.
