Published: 12:45 AM, 23 May 2026
Measles outbreak: Death toll nears 500
The fatalities due to measles and measles-like symptoms has now stood at 499 in Bangladesh as eleven more children died from the disease in the past 24 hours (between 8:00 am Thursday and 8:00 am Friday).
Of the new deaths, two were confirmed as measles-related while the remaining nine were classified as suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the latest deaths, nine children died from suspected measles infections, while two deaths were confirmed as measles-related.
The total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 85 while suspected deaths have reached 414.
According to DGHS data, a total of 1,261 suspected measles cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the overall suspected cases to 60,540.
During the same period, 54 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 8,329.
Since March 15, a total of 47,511 suspected measles patients were hospitalised, of whom 43,411 have recovered.
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral infection that primarily affects children and can easily cross borders. It can cause serious respiratory symptoms, fever and rash. In some cases, especially in babies and young children, it can be fatal.
Public health experts in Bangladesh have linked the outbreak to a lack of vaccines.
