Published: 12:36 AM, 09 August 2026
Measles: Deaths continue as toll hits 867
The deaths of children due to measles and measles-like symptoms continue in Bangladesh as the toll has stood now at 867 with four new fatalities in 24 hours till 8am on Saturday.
According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the number of suspected measles-related deaths has risen to 769, while laboratory-confirmed deaths stand at 98.
The health authorities recorded 677 new suspected measles cases during the latest 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 135,332.
Meanwhile, 99 new laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of confirmed measles infections to 17,040.
Since 15 March, a total of 117,444 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, according to DGHS data.
Of them, 113,200 patients have recovered, the data showed.
Bangladesh has struggled to contain the outbreak and has become the country most affected by measles, according to the World Health Organization.
The WHO said Bangladesh had previously achieved herd immunity against measles but lost it in recent years because of declining vaccination coverage.
The Health Ministry has vaccinated more than 18.48 million children since April 5. Measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable
deaths among children worldwide.
