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The measles crisis in Bangladesh is worsening, with 194 child deaths recorded since the outbreak began in March 2026. Government data also shows that suspected child cases have exceeded 28,000.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases and is spread through coughs and sneezes. It affects people of any age but is most common among children, and can cause complications that include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems.
The current measles crisis is the worst in the South Asian nation for decades. In the past week, between three and five children have died from measles every day. Five children died on Wednesday, including three in the capital, Dhaka, and another five on Thursday.
The Bangladesh Government said it has launched a robust nationwide vaccination programme since the outbreak began on March 15, 2026.
“Our target is to vaccinate 18 million children,” health department spokesman Zahid Raihan told AFP.
“So far, we have covered a little over one-fourth of our target, and it may take another two weeks to see the impact of this vaccination programme.”
Md Sajib and Afsin Meem lost their three-year-old son, their only child, on Tuesday, and a photograph of a relative carrying his tiny body along a road has been shared extensively on news sites.
“After noticing a rash on our son’s skin, we rushed him to the hospital. Five days later, we brought him back dead,” Sajib told AFP. “He had a high fever and breathing difficulties.”
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, speaking in parliament on Wednesday, blamed the previous government of Sheikh Hasina, who was toppled in a 2024 revolution, and a subsequent caretaker administration for failing to vaccinate the population.
Bangladesh has made significant advancements in vaccinations to tackle infectious diseases, but a measles drive that was due in June 2024 was delayed by the deadly uprising that toppled Hasina.
“The autocratic government that we ousted, together with political parties both inside and outside parliament, did not procure vaccines,” said Rahman, who took power in February.
Rahman said Bangladesh was receiving assistance from the United Nations (UN) children’s agency, but there was a shortage of testing kits.
