Rajshahi div faces measles surge as 77 cases emerge
The outbreak of measles in Rajshahi Division has surged at an alarming rate. Laboratory tests conducted from the first week of March to March 26 have confirmed the presence of the virus in 77 individuals. During this period, three deaths have also been reported.
According to the Health Ministry, most of the affected children are aged between 6 and 9 months, and none had received the measles vaccine. The situation is being monitored and managed under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The Divisional Health Director of Rajshahi reported that from the first week of March to March 26, a total of 342 suspected measles cases were recorded across the division, with a positivity rate of 22.51%. Pabna district has the highest number of confirmed cases, with 33, followed by Chapainawabganj with 20, Rajshahi with 10, Natore with 6, Naogaon with 5, and Bogura, Sirajganj, and Rajshahi City Corporation with one case each. No positive cases have been reported in Joypurhat.
Of the three reported deaths, two were from Pabna district and one from Rajshahi City Corporation. Currently, 126 patients are undergoing treatment in hospitals across the division, with Rajshahi City Corporation hospitals accommodating the largest number—70 patients. In addition to measles, two cases of rubella have also been confirmed in the division.
Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMC) reported that information on 230 suspected measles patients has been collected. Samples from 73 patients were sent for laboratory testing, with results for 54 patients received so far, 28 of whom tested positive for measles.
Speaking on the situation, Rajshahi District Civil Surgeon Dr. SIM Raziul Karim said that 10 confirmed cases have been identified in Rajshahi district, but no child deaths have been reported there. He noted that most affected children are between 6 and 9 months old, while the measles vaccine is administered at 10–15 months, meaning the majority of affected children were unvaccinated.
He added that both measles and rubella are highly contagious viral infections. To contain the outbreak, investigative teams have been mobilised to identify symptomatic children quickly, isolate them, and provide treatment.
Divisional Health Director Habibur Rahman stated that there is an adequate supply of measles vaccines. Authorities have been instructed to expedite vaccination efforts and ensure children who missed previous doses are covered. He further noted that WHO and UNICEF are assisting in controlling the outbreak.
Measles-rubella vaccination campaigns are typically conducted every five years. The campaign scheduled for 2025 did not take place, which is believed to have contributed to the current outbreak. The next campaign is planned for 2026.