DHAKA: Bangladesh is facing its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March as hospitals struggle with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick children.
More than 166,000 suspected measles cases, including 19,835 laboratory-confirmed infections, have been reported since the outbreak began, according to Health Ministry data. More than 146,000 suspected patients have been hospitalised.
Why has the measles outbreak spread despite an emergency vaccination campaign?
Health officials and experts have linked the outbreak to gaps in routine immunisation and disruptions to vaccine supplies during political turmoil in 2024 and 2025.
Bangladesh launched a nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign in April. However, experts said missed routine vaccinations left large numbers of children vulnerable, particularly infants under nine months who are too young for routine measles vaccination.
Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain told parliament that changes in vaccine procurement contributed to shortages. A vaccination programme was postponed in 2024, while a nationwide measles-rubella campaign planned for the following year was cancelled.
The World Health Organization, UNICEF and other health agencies have also highlighted disruptions to immunisation schedules. Children under five accounted for around 80% of cases during the early stages of the outbreak.
Bangladesh had maintained relatively high measles vaccination coverage for much of the previous decade, generally meeting or exceeding the 95% coverage level recommended by the WHO, apart from a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How are hospitals coping with the surge in measles and dengue cases?
Hospitals are facing additional pressure from a simultaneous rise in dengue infections. More than 45,000 people have been hospitalised with dengue this year, while dengue deaths reached nine on Tuesday and daily admissions rose to 1,571, according to Health Ministry data.
Dr. Nanda Dulal Saha, acting director of Dhaka’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, said the facility had 60 beds designated for measles patients, but some patients were being treated on the floor.
The hospital, designed to accommodate about 1,350 patients, was caring for more than 2,350, Saha said. He also cited shortages of paediatric saline used to help manage measles symptoms.
Bangladesh’s emergency vaccination campaign initially targeted about 18 million children aged six months to under five years. More than 19.7 million children have since been vaccinated, according to Health Ministry figures.
Epidemiologist Professor Mahmudur Rahman said Bangladesh had missed its measles elimination target because of vaccination gaps in 2024 and 2025. He called for increased vaccination coverage, public awareness and efforts to close immunity gaps.
Measles is among the world’s most contagious diseases but can be prevented through vaccination. Health experts said stronger routine immunisation and catch-up campaigns remain critical as Bangladesh confronts the continuing outbreak alongside dengue.