An eight-month-old infant undergoing treatment for suspected measles has died at Kushtia Medical College Hospital in the early hours of Friday, at approximately 5:30am. The deceased child, Afran, was the son of Al Amin and hailed from Vadalia village in Kushtia Sadar upazila.
According to hospital sources, the infant had been suffering for several days from fever, cold, cough, and a characteristic reddish skin rash, symptoms commonly associated with measles infection. As his condition deteriorated, he was initially taken to a local practitioner before being transferred to Kushtia Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Doctors at the hospital stated that the child was already in a critical condition upon admission. Despite immediate medical attention, his health continued to decline. Medical staff reportedly advised that the patient be shifted to a specialised facility in Dhaka for intensive care. However, the family was unable to arrange transfer in time, and the infant remained under treatment at the hospital until his death.
The child’s father, Al Amin, said that the illness began with mild cold-like symptoms and fever, followed by the appearance of skin rashes. He alleged that although the child’s condition worsened significantly on the day prior to his death, timely response from nursing staff was not adequately received. Hospital authorities, however, have not issued any formal comment regarding these allegations.
Attempts to contact the hospital’s director and the paediatric ward in-charge for clarification were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Medical experts emphasise that measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can become life-threatening in infants and young children, particularly those with underdeveloped or weakened immune systems. They stress that early diagnosis, timely hospitalisation, and prompt referral to specialised care facilities are crucial in preventing complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and severe dehydration.
Health professionals further note that immunisation remains the most effective preventive measure against measles, significantly reducing both infection rates and severity of outcomes. They also highlight the importance of parental awareness in recognising early warning signs and seeking immediate medical intervention.
Timeline of Events
| Stage | Development |
|---|---|
| Onset of illness | Fever, cold, cough, and reddish skin rash appeared |
| Initial treatment | Consultation with local physician |
| Hospital admission | Admitted to Kushtia Medical College Hospital in critical condition |
| Clinical course | Condition worsened; referral to Dhaka advised |
| Family response | Immediate transfer could not be arranged |
| Outcome | Infant died at approximately 5:30am on Friday |
The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of rapid response in paediatric emergencies and strengthened public health systems for vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.