Bangladesh fights world’s worst measles outbreak as vaccination gaps fuel spread

Bangladesh is grappling with its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March. The crisis has strained hospitals, which are already overwhelmed by a surge in dengue cases. The outbreak occurred despite a nationwide emergency vaccination campaign launched in April, which experts attribute to missed vaccinations, vaccine supply issues, and disruptions to routine immunization in 2024 and 2025 due to political turmoil following a deadly uprising.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain blamed procurement changes under the interim government, which disrupted vaccine availability and left children unprotected against the highly contagious disease. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and other agencies have also pointed to the disruption in immunization schedules. Under-fives accounted for about 80% of cases during the early stages of the outbreak.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of measles patients, many of whom are children under nine months old who are too young for routine vaccinations. Families are facing weeks of uncertainty, repeated hospital visits, and mounting costs as they seek treatment for their sick children.