Dhaka, Bangladesh recorded its highest single-day deaths of 17 children as the measles outbreak rapidly spread nationwide, claiming over 300 deaths in the past 50 days.
Health officials said 1,456 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the country, with 154 confirmed cases.
The World Health Organisation assessed the outbreak as a 'high' national risk, warning of continued transmission unless urgent measures were taken to close 'immunity gaps'.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government launched a nationwide emergency campaign to vaccinate around 1.8 crore children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
However, the success story of controlling the disease between 2000 and 2019 ran dry in 2026 due to vaccine shortage, attributed to the stockout in 2024-2025.
UNICEF is deeply concerned about the sharp rise in measles cases, putting thousands of children at serious risk, while the WHO warned of continued transmission unless rapid vaccination and response measures are taken.
