Measles Outbreak in Kushtia Claims Two More Lives

Kushtia Medical College Hospital has reported the deaths of two more children suffering from haem, intensifying alarm over the ongoing outbreak in the district. The fatalities occurred between 9:30 pm and 12:30 am on Friday, 3 April, bringing the total number of child deaths from haem symptoms in the district to four.

The victims include eight-month-old Ibrahim, son of Chonchol Hossain from Daulatpur Upazila, who was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon with haem and pneumonia symptoms. The second child, five-month-and-twenty-day-old Aija, daughter of Mominur Rahman from Kushtia town’s Renwick area, had been under treatment since 30 March. Earlier on Friday morning, another eight-month-old child named Afran had died after contracting the disease.

Dr Hosain Imam, the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, stated, “Ibrahim was admitted at 3:30 pm on Friday with haem and pneumonia. Despite all medical efforts, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he could not be saved.”

Dr A H M Anwarul Islam, the hospital’s Deputy Director, added that Aija had been receiving continuous care for several days but succumbed to the infection due to the severity of her condition.

According to the health department, 20 new patients exhibiting haem symptoms were admitted to hospitals in Kushtia within the last 24 hours. Since the outbreak began, 320 cases have been confirmed in the district. Presently, 230 patients remain hospitalised, of whom five to six children are reported to be in critical condition.

The following table provides a summary of recent child fatalities:

Medical officials are urging parents to remain vigilant for symptoms of haem, which include fever, breathing difficulties, and signs of pneumonia. Authorities are calling for enhanced monitoring and prompt medical attention to prevent further fatalities as the outbreak continues.