Published: 12:43 AM, 23 April 2026
A Comparative Study of Measles in Foreign Countries and Bangladesh and What to Do
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Although the farewell bell of spring has rung on the calendar today, every house in Bangladesh is mourning today. Measles, which was once a common childhood disease, is now a chronic disease and is biting the future generations of this country. While most countries in the world are overcoming the measles outbreak and enjoying the good air of stability, thousands of innocent lives are being lost in our Golden Bengal. In this article, we will shed light on the current picture of the measles situation in Bangladesh and our position in the global context with a heart of sorrow.
Measles situation in the world and South Asia: Although the measles attack in India's vast population has subsided, infections still exist in remote areas. According to the latest information, although the number of infected people in the whole of India is more than a thousand, they have been able to reduce the death rate to zero.
Although the measles situation has improved in Pakistan due to malnutrition and inadequacy of healthcare, it has not been completely eradicated. Although the infection rate there is lower than in Bangladesh, the number of deaths has exceeded several dozen.
Although the measles eradication target is being achieved in Nepal, there are reports of children being infected in some isolated areas. However, due to an effective vaccination program, there has been no major disaster there.
Sri Lanka is one of the most successful countries in South Asia in controlling measles. Due to a strong vaccination structure, there are almost no deaths.
Bhutan has been able to maintain its status as a measles-free country. There are zero child deaths there due to ensuring timely booster doses.
Despite political unrest in Afghanistan, vaccination programs have been kept active with the help of international organizations. Although there is infection, it has not become an epidemic.
In the Maldives, the measles outbreak is completely under control due to an advanced health structure and 100% vaccination.
Although the infection rate in Indonesia is relatively high, the number of deaths is controlled. Recently, they have started to overcome the vaccine shortage.
Although measles outbreaks occur occasionally in the Philippines, they have mitigated them through emergency measures. The mortality rate is negligible compared to Bangladesh.
Despite tourism and dense population in Thailand, their public health department has limited measles transmission to isolated cases.
Despite the risk of measles in Ethiopia due to malnutrition and conflict, they have been able to prevent the spread of the epidemic with joint efforts.
Despite a large outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they have reduced child mortality with global support.
Despite a high risk of infection in Nigeria, they have shown great success in achieving vaccination targets.
Although some isolated measles infections have recently occurred in the United States, modern medical systems and strict measures have virtually eliminated deaths.
In the United Kingdom, the measles situation is at a very stable and safe level due to public awareness about vaccination.
In Brazil, the measles outbreak is now being limited to the pages of history due to the success of the vaccination program.
Although there has been a slight increase in infections in Mexico, they have quickly handled the situation through an emergency vaccination campaign.
Measles is no longer a major concern in most European countries, such as Italy and France, where the infection rate is negligible.
Although measles infections occur sporadically in Japan, deaths are rare due to the well-organized health system.
Even in neighboring Myanmar, where measles infections are also present, despite ethnic violence, they are limited to border areas and the mortality rate is low.
The pathetic condition of various departments and hospitals in Bangladesh devastated by measles: Dhaka division is like a death city today; the infection rate here has reached the highest in the country at 9,780. At least 2,046 lab-confirmed measles patients have been found in this division alone, and Dhaka ranks first in the procession of suspected deaths.
In Chittagong division, measles has spread to the hill and coastal towns. The risk of infection has increased sharply, especially in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
There are constant reports of young lives being lost to measles in various districts of Rajshahi division. The lab-confirmed infection rate here has exceeded 28.3 percent.
Children are now suffering from severe pneumonia due to a lack of vaccination in Khulna division. There is no space in hospitals to store moles.
Barguna district in Barisal division has the highest infection rate in the country (104.8 per million). There have been reports of multiple tragic deaths of children here in the last 24 hours.
In Sylhet division, measles infection has taken a terrible shape due to lack of healthcare services for children in tea gardens and haor areas.
In Rangpur division, hundreds of children are bedridden in hospitals due to a measles outbreak this spring, where many lives are being lost prematurely due to lack of oxygen.
In Mymensingh division, the infection density has stood at 29.6 people per million. The newly formed division still lacks adequate medical equipment, making it difficult to save children's lives.
In 30 major hospitals in the country, including the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, DNCC Dedicated Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, there is now only the cry of children. Hundreds of children are being referred to DNCC Hospital every day, many of whom are in critical condition. Reasons for the public health collapse: The root cause of this measles horror in Bangladesh lies in the extreme indecision and arbitrariness of the previous interim government.
It has been alleged that the previous long-term vaccination system and supply chain were canceled without any alternative. As a result, the regular process of vaccine procurement, which was coordinated with the domestic and international markets, completely collapsed and the vaccine stock in the central warehouse dropped to zero.
This failure to provide vaccines was not just an administrative error, it was a cruel gamble with the lives of millions of children.
The coordination that was supposed to be maintained with the international donor agencies UNICEF and Gavi was disrupted due to political instability and policy-making weaknesses. As a result, the routine immunization program (UCHO) came to a standstill and the necessary immunity in the children's bodies failed to develop.
This negligence of the previous government has resulted in the death of about 200 children and the creation of this epidemic of millions of infections. The rash decisions such as not organizing special campaigns on time and suspending the Vitamin A Plus campaign have further exacerbated the complications of measles. The helpless parents of this country are paying the price today for not prioritizing public health under the pretext of political turmoil.
What those concerned should do to resolve the crisis: The current government should ensure urgent import of vaccines with the help of international organizations in a wartime effort. Strict monitoring is needed to ensure that no bureaucratic complications stand in the way of this life-saving vaccine.
Vaccination centers should be established in every union and neighborhood to identify and vaccinate the excluded children quickly.
The Ministry of Health should increase the number of hospital beds and establish specialized measles wards, as well as ensure adequate oxygen supply. Medical services should be made accessible by recruiting additional manpower, especially in children's hospitals. A special fund should be formed to meet the shortage of necessary medicines to prevent pneumonia and diarrhea in children infected with measles.
A nationwide awareness campaign should be carried out involving the media and religious leaders so that children are not deprived of vaccination due to any superstition. The importance of taking them to the nearest hospital as soon as symptoms of measles appear should be explained. It is very important to encourage children to consume nutritious food and foods rich in Vitamin A to prevent malnutrition.
Civil society and volunteers must stand alongside the government in this difficult time and participate in collecting information and monitoring vaccination activities. It is our social responsibility to ensure that no child in the area remains unvaccinated. If we want to save our children from this scourge of measles, there is no alternative to a united fight, forgetting differences.
Finally, I would like to say that this measles situation in Bangladesh is not just a health problem, it is a national tragedy. While the world is conquering space, our children are today succumbing to a disease that has disappeared into the pages of history. Only effective steps by the government and public awareness can bring peace to this hot desert. I pray that the smile of each of our children will return again.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Essayist,
Writer and President of the
International Anti-Drug Organization - Freedom International Anti-Alcohol.
He can be reached at [email protected]
