202,000 cases, 1,147 deaths: Bangladesh faces world’s worst measles outbreak

Bangladesh is grappling with its worst measles outbreak of the year, claiming over 1,100 lives and infecting 202,000 people, according to Reuters. The country logged 22,000 laboratory-confirmed cases between late March and October 9, with the majority of fatalities occurring among children under five. Mark Jit, a WHO vaccine adviser and NYU professor, warned that the outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination efforts.

Bangladesh's response to the outbreak has been hampered by incomplete vaccination data, insufficient emergency preparedness, and challenges in reaching parents in remote areas. WHO and UNICEF estimated Bangladesh reached 96% and 93% first and second measles vaccine coverage, respectively, in 2024. However, political turmoil following Sheikh Hasina's resignation in 2024 led to a decline in vaccination coverage.

Health workers went on strike, vaccine deliveries were delayed, and follow-up vaccinations were disrupted. WHO-UNICEF data from July revealed first-dose coverage dropped to 90% in 2025 and second-dose coverage fell to 86%, both below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.

An emergency vaccination drive launched in April and May reportedly reached nearly 20 million children, but subsequent data showed four million more children in the target age group were left unvaccinated. By August, the percentage of confirmed measles cases among unvaccinated children remained virtually unchanged, rising from 82% before the campaign to 85% afterwards.

Mahmudur Rahman, an epidemiologist and chair of Bangladesh's National Verification Committee for Measles and Rubella Elimination, warned that lack of proper preparation often leaves the poorest and hardest-to-reach children most vulnerable.