The number of confirmed measles cases in Bangladesh has risen to 23,157 since the outbreak began on 15 March, while 1,201 children with suspected or confirmed infections have died, according to the latest official figures.

Bangladesh's health authorities said the death toll among children with suspected measles continues to increase as the country battles one of its most severe outbreaks in recent years.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, citing the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health, 1,097 children with measles-like symptoms and 104 children with laboratory-confirmed measles have died since the outbreak began.

More than 190,000 hospitalisations reported

Health officials said 190,663 people with suspected measles had been admitted to hospitals during the outbreak, of whom 183,042 have since been discharged after receiving treatment.

The total number of people who have developed measles-like symptoms has reached 214,551, while laboratory-confirmed infections stand at 23,157.

During the past 24 hours alone, authorities recorded 1,307 suspected cases and 35 newly confirmed infections.

Vaccination campaign expanded

Bangladesh launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign in March in an effort to contain the outbreak.

The initial phase prioritised children aged six months to five years, with the immunisation programme later expanded gradually to cover wider areas of the country.

Health authorities continue to urge parents to vaccinate eligible children and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.

Highly contagious disease

Measles is one of the world's most contagious viral diseases and primarily affects children, although unvaccinated adults can also become infected.

The disease spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), blindness and, in severe cases, death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers vaccination the most effective method of preventing measles outbreaks, with two doses of the vaccine providing strong protection against severe illness.(ILKHA)