Measles fatalities continue to rise unabated, with seven more deaths and 1,295 new cases recorded nationwide over a 24-hour period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
In its latest press release issued on Tuesday, the DGHS reported that the deaths occurred between Monday morning and Tuesday morning due to measles and its associated symptoms. During the same period, 1,232 new patients were identified with measles-like symptoms, while laboratory tests confirmed 63 active cases, bringing the total number of new infections in 24 hours to 1,295.
Data from the health department indicates that between March 15 and October 27, a total of 223,784 patients with measles symptoms have been identified across the country. Of these, 23,541 cases have been laboratory-confirmed. During this timeframe, 1,135 deaths have been recorded among patients presenting with measles symptoms, with 105 deaths officially confirmed as resulting directly from the disease.
Geographically, the Dhaka division reported the highest number of symptomatic patients in the last 24 hours with 504 cases. Other divisions also saw significant numbers: 248 in Chattogram, 116 in Barishal, 108 in Sylhet, 96 in Khulna, 83 in Mymensingh, 41 in Rajshahi, and 36 in Rangpur. Notably, all 63 newly confirmed cases were detected within the Dhaka division.
Division-wise fatalities over the past 24 hours include two deaths each in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, and one in Barishal. However, the health bulletin did not disclose the ages or identities of the deceased.
Cumulative figures from March 15 to October 27 show that the Dhaka division has borne the heaviest brunt, recording 14,838 confirmed measles cases. This is followed by 3,408 in Chattogram, 1,420 in Rajshahi, 1,114 in Sylhet, 813 in Barishal, 775 in Mymensingh, 666 in Rangpur, and 507 in Khulna.
The DGHS release further noted that a total of 199,127 patients exhibiting measles symptoms have been admitted to hospitals nationwide since March 15.
