Bangladesh in grips of world's worst measles outbreak, with 1,000 dead in last 6 months
Bangladesh, which once came close to eliminating measles, is facing its worst outbreak on record, with around 1,000 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March as hospitals struggle with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick children.
More than 1,000 children have succumbed to measles in Bangladesh since the outbreak began five months ago, according to the country's health services department. The Directorate General of Health Services reported that three new measles-related deaths occurred in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, bringing the total number of measles-associated fatalities to 1,002.
During the same period, the health department identified 69 confirmed cases of measles and discovered 1,119 children exhibiting symptoms. Of the confirmed measles patients, 100 were hospitalized. Dr Zahid Rayhan of the health directorate stated that the remaining measles patients had died with symptoms.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral illness that causes a high fever, cough, red eyes, and a distinctive red blotchy rash. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 12 days after exposure in children.
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- Measles outbreak kills more than 1,000 children in Bangladesh qatar-tribune.com
