Published: 12:28 AM, 20 May 2026
Measles death toll climbs to 475 with demise of 11 more children
Till 19 May, the total number of deaths from measles in the country since 15 March has risen to 475. -Agency
Eleven more children died from measles and similar symptoms in Bangladesh in 24 hours till 8:00 am on Tuesday, taking the total death toll to 475 since 15th March 2026.
Of the new deaths, nine were confirmed as measles-related while the remaining two were classified as suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Among the suspected deaths, the highest three were reported in each Dhaka and Sylhet division.
With these, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 77 while suspected deaths have reached 398, it said.
According to DGHS data, a total of 1,264 suspected measles cases were recorded in 24 hours, taking the overall suspected cases to 56,586.
During the same period, 73 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 7,929.
Since March 15, a total of 43,983 suspected measles patients were hospitalised, of whom 40,090 have recovered.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed all government healthcare institutions across the country to designate separate wards or cabins for the treatment of measles and suspected measles patients.
The authorities concerned at the hospitals have also been instructed to ensure admission and treatment of measles patients, according to a notification issued today by the Hospital and Clinics Wing of the DGHS.
According to the directive, adequate numbers of physicians and healthcare workers must be ensured in measles isolation wards. Specialist physicians have also been instructed to conduct rounds every morning and afternoon, including on holidays.
It said that a maximum of one guardian or visitor would be allowed to stay with each admitted patient.
The DGHS said all information related to measles and suspected measles patients must be uploaded regularly to the MIS server.
The directive asked authorities to use the address http://surveillance.dghs.gov.bd for submitting relevant information. If necessary, they were instructed to contact the number 01759114488.
The directive will apply to all medical college hospitals, specialised hospitals, district headquarters and general hospitals, and upazila health complexes across the country.
The DGHS said the directive had been issued to make the treatment management of measles patients at government healthcare institutions more effective and coordinated.
