Bangladesh faces further measles risk due to lack of vaccinations, travel

The measles outbreak in Bangladesh is one of its deadliest health crises in decades, as experts warned that the lack of measures to increase vaccinations…

The measles outbreak in Bangladesh is one of its deadliest health crises in decades, as experts warned that the lack of measures to increase vaccinations and enhance immunisation across the country could lead to a further spike in cases.

There were over 60,000 suspected cases of measles, and nearly 600 people have died from the disease since mid-March, according to media reports.

The outbreak has been particularly severe among malnourished children and communities with limited access to health services.

Local health officials have partnered with their UN counterparts to launch an emergency response to combat measles. However, gaps in vaccination coverage, with an interim administration in power until February, have raised concerns that the disease could spread further.

Health experts say the surge is due to local authorities not prioritising the elimination of measles, with the highly contagious disease largely preventable through two vaccine doses as recommended by the World Health Organization.

According to a report on the measles situation in Bangladesh by the WHO in April, the disease can affect individuals of all ages and is a leading cause of death among young children around the world. A usually “mild or moderately severe disease”, measles could, however, cause complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, blindness, and death, the WHO said.

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