Bangladesh measles toll nears grim 1,000-child mark

Bangladesh's deadliest measles outbreak in decades is nearing 1,000 child deaths, as a devastating epidemic sweeps the South Asian nation of 170 million.

At least 986 children have died since March, with suspected and confirmed cases surging past 180,000, according to health ministry figures. Hospital wards across the country are now filled with critically ill infants.

How many children have died in Bangladesh's measles outbreak?

Bangladesh's health ministry has confirmed at least 986 child deaths from measles since March, with suspected and confirmed cases surpassing 180,000 nationwide. More than 1,000 new suspected cases are being reported daily. The toll is approaching a grim 1,000-child milestone, making this the country's deadliest measles outbreak in decades.

Cries of sick children and the hiss of oxygen machines fill the air at Dhaka's Shishu Hospital, where Rima Akter keeps a vigil beside her nine-month-old son. "Just an hour ago, a child died, and they wheeled him out in front of us," the 30-year-old told AFP on Thursday. "We saw two children die today."

Akter's son, Sabit Haque, is one of scores of children filling the hospital's measles wards.

What are the symptoms and risks of measles?

Measles is highly contagious, spreading through coughs and sneezes, and has no specific treatment once caught. Complications can include brain swelling and severe breathing problems. Anyone can catch the disease, but young children are particularly vulnerable, and most cases in this outbreak have been among children aged between six months and five years.

Doctors say many of the children arriving at hospital are already critically ill, with malnutrition further weakening their ability to fight the virus. Sanjana Islam Modina, 19, has been cradling her six-month-old son Ayan, who has an oxygen tube fixed to his nose. Small dark spots covered Ayan's head, fading from the angry red rash left by measles.

Ayan was first admitted to hospital with pneumonia in July, then contracted measles before finally securing a bed at the capital's specialised children's hospital in mid-August. He spent 15 days in intensive care before improving enough to return to the dedicated measles ward, which currently has 101 children admitted with suspected or confirmed cases.

"His lungs were already very weak from the pneumonia, then with measles his breathing was affected more," Modina told AFP, trying to soothe her wailing baby. "He's been on oxygen constantly for the last five days." Ayan has also been diagnosed as malnourished, and doctors have given him specialised therapeutic milk.

Why is Bangladesh having a measles outbreak?

The outbreak has exposed gaps in Bangladesh's efforts to protect its youngest citizens. SM Ziauddin Hyder, special assistant to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for health, called the outbreak "devastating." Bangladesh had previously made major advances against infectious diseases, but a measles vaccination drive planned for 2024 was delayed by the uprising that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Workers' strikes and political instability then delayed a follow-up campaign in 2025. "There was a gap of a significant number of children missing the doses," Hyder said. Healthcare workers are now vaccinating these children to close that gap.

How is Bangladesh responding to the outbreak?

The country has rolled out a mass vaccination drive to combat the epidemic, though case numbers continue to climb. Mahmudur Rahman, an epidemiologist and former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said Bangladesh should consider a broader vaccination campaign to contain the outbreak. He added that public awareness was also crucial, stressing preventive measures including isolating infected children, handwashing, and mask use by caregivers.

Akter needs no reminder of how quickly the disease can spread. "We are aware of how contagious this disease is; our son was first admitted for bronchitis," she said. "After being released, we had to come back for measles."