Four more children have died of measles and its symptoms in the country in the past 24 hours. In the same period more than 1,500 children were newly infected or admitted to hospital with symptoms. With this, the total number of deaths from measles and its symptoms in the country from 15 March to 12 November this year has reached close to 1,300.
The figures were given in the regular measles press release sent on Thursday by the Directorate General of Health Services’ Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room.
According to the directorate, of the 4 children who died with measles symptoms across the country in the past 24 hours, 2 were in Sylhet division and 1 each in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. In the same period 1,384 children were newly infected with measles symptoms, and laboratory tests confirmed measles in 157 children. In all, the number of new patients in the past 24 hours is 1,541.
Since the outbreak began on 15 March this year, the total number of cases across the country has reached 269,171. Of them, 1,299 children have died by the official count. Among the dead, 105 children died of confirmed measles and the remaining 1,199 died of complications from measles symptoms.
The release also said that from 15 March to 8am on 12 November, a total of 218,075 children were treated in hospital with suspected measles symptoms. Of them, 209,207 children recovered and were discharged.
Division-by-division figures for the past 24 hours show that Dhaka division alone recorded the highest number, 589 patients with measles symptoms, of whom 49 were confirmed measles cases. Health experts have urged greater awareness to protect children’s health across the country and a faster, stronger vaccination drive.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report