Measles Death Toll in Bangladesh Rises to 805 Amid New Child Fatalities

Dhaka, July 23 – The ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh has pushed the total death count to 805, health officials reported on Thursday. Two more children succumbed to symptoms consistent with measles, adding to the grim tally.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed that both deaths occurred within the previous 24 hours and are being treated as suspected measles fatalities. While confirmed measles deaths stand at 95, suspected deaths have climbed to 710.

In the same period, DGHS recorded 848 new suspected measles cases, bringing the cumulative suspected count since March 15 to 121,200. Additionally, 166 new confirmed cases were identified, raising the total confirmed infections to 15,007.

A recent health report estimates that on average four children die each day from measles and more than 800 patients require hospital admission daily. Authorities claim the emergency vaccination drive has met its target, yet large numbers of unvaccinated patients continue to flood hospitals, indicating gaps in coverage.

During the first three weeks of July, the average daily intake was 1,005 suspected or confirmed cases, 821 hospitalizations, and roughly four deaths. Experts warn that about 4 million children missed vaccination, and the campaign’s age limits left older children exposed, sustaining the outbreak.