Seven more children die as measles-related hospitalisations hit daily peak

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) today (6 April) reported the highest single-day hospital admissions for measles and suspected measles cases in the country, amid a growing nationwide outbreak.

In the past 24 hours, a total of 1,462 patients, both confirmed and suspected, were admitted to hospitals, marking the highest daily figure so far. During the same period, seven children died.

Of the total admissions, 1,282 patients showed measles-like symptoms, while 180 cases were laboratory confirmed. The previous day (5 April), 974 suspected cases were recorded, alongside 54 confirmed infections.

According to DGHS data, 20 children have died from confirmed measles infections so far this year, while 118 others have died with suspected measles symptoms.

Between 8am yesterday and 8am today, two confirmed and five suspected measles-related deaths were reported.

Between 15 March and 6 April, a total of 1,099 measles cases have been laboratory confirmed, the health bulletin said. Overall, 8,534 suspected cases have been identified nationwide, with 6,016 patients already discharged after receiving treatment.

14 more children hospitalised in Chattogram

In Chattogram, 14 more children were admitted to hospitals in the past 24 hours with symptoms of measles and pneumonia, while four new infections have been confirmed, health officials said.

All newly admitted children are residents of the Chattogram City Corporation area. According to the district health department, 77 children are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the district with symptoms consistent with measles and pneumonia.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said the newly admitted children are showing symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulties and skin rashes.

He said samples from 30 children were sent to Dhaka for testing in the past 24 hours, 20 from the metropolitan area and 10 from upazilas. So far, 251 samples from Chattogram have been sent for testing.

“Recent tests confirmed measles in four more children. They have already recovered and returned home,” he said, adding that the total number of confirmed cases in the district now stands at 18.

He also said 32 children were discharged after receiving treatment over the past 24 hours.

At Chattogram Medical College Hospital, 47 children are currently receiving treatment with measles and pneumonia-like symptoms, including eight in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), said Director Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin.

“No new patient was admitted to the PICU in the past 24 hours,” he said.

“Two children with confirmed measles are currently hospitalised at the facility,” he added.

He also confirmed that no child has died from measles-related complications at the hospital in the last three days.

Earlier, two children from Cox’s Bazar died while undergoing treatment at the hospital, one of whom had tested positive for measles.

Affected children are currently receiving treatment at various government and private hospitals, including Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chattogram General Hospital and the Maa-O-Shishu Hospital.