Bangladesh has launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign targeting more than a million children aged six months to five years after a suspected outbreak killed over 100 people, mostly children, in recent weeks. Health ministry data shows there have been at least 98 confirmed deaths and more than 7,500 suspected infections nationwide, according to reports from BBC News.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting over a million children aged six months to five years after a suspected measles outbreak killed more than 100 people, mostly children, in recent weeks.
- Emergency vaccination campaign targets over 1.2 million children across 30 sub-districts
- Over 7,500 suspected measles cases and at least 98 confirmed deaths reported in the past three weeks
- Vaccination drive prioritizes areas with high infection rates, including Dhaka and Cox's Bazar refugee camps
- Health officials attribute the outbreak to gaps in vaccination programs and political disruptions
The campaign began on Sunday in 30 high-risk sub-districts across the country. The initiative prioritizes children who missed routine immunizations and are most vulnerable to severe illness and complications. According to Reuters, hospitals in several high-burden regions are already overcrowded and operating with limited capacity.
Health officials attribute the outbreak to gaps in vaccination programs caused by political disruptions and vaccine shortages. A planned measles vaccination campaign was delayed due to political upheaval in 2024 that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as reported by Al Jazeera. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about a resurgence of measles globally as vaccination rates fall.
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications and death. Common symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. According to the WHO, an estimated 95,000 people were killed by measles worldwide in 2024, most of them children under five years old.
Along with international partners like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh has launched this emergency vaccination campaign for measles and rubella. The campaign will prioritize areas with high infection rates, including Dhaka, the densely populated capital, and Cox's Bazar, home to crowded Rohingya refugee camps.
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