At least six children have died within the past 24 hours in Kushtia and Rajshahi districts with symptoms resembling measles, prompting growing concern over a potential outbreak across the region.
In Kushtia, three children died between Friday night and Saturday morning while receiving treatment at local hospitals. The victims included infants Ibrahim (8 months) and Aiza (5 months), along with Afran, who all reportedly showed similar symptoms prior to their deaths.
Health officials in the district reported a steady rise in suspected cases, with more than 300 children admitted to various hospitals so far.
At least 75 have recovered, while many remain under treatment. Authorities have pointed to vaccine shortages, limited public awareness, and the movement of people from other districts as contributing factors to the spread. Dedicated isolation areas have been established in hospitals, and vaccination drives are expected to begin once vaccines become available.
In Rajshahi, three children died within the last 24 hours at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital while undergoing treatment for suspected measles, hospital officials said.
Dr Shankar K Biswas, spokesperson and head of the hospital’s emergency department, confirmed that 24 new suspected cases were admitted during the same period, while three patients were discharged after treatment.
At present, 149 patients are receiving care, and a total of 377 patients have been treated in the hospital’s measles isolation ward this season.
With the latest fatalities, the number of deaths linked to suspected measles has climbed to at least 38, according to hospital records.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as concerns grow over the increasing number of cases and the spread of the disease across multiple districts.