A noticeable rise in children presenting with measles-like symptoms has placed increasing pressure on the isolation unit at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Within a 24-hour period—from 8am Monday to 8am Tuesday—an additional 33 children were admitted, raising concerns among healthcare providers. At present, a total of 85 children are receiving treatment in the dedicated isolation ward.
According to hospital authorities, since 17 March this year, a cumulative 685 children have been admitted with suspected measles symptoms. Of these, 585 children have recovered and been discharged, while 15 fatalities have been recorded during the same period. Encouragingly, no new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, offering some relief to medical staff managing the outbreak.
Hospital Assistant Director (Administration) Mohammad Mainuddin Khan noted that cases began appearing in early February in the paediatric department. Initially, admissions were sporadic, with only one or two cases reported at a time. However, the situation escalated sharply by mid-March, when a sudden surge in cases was observed. In response, the hospital has been operating a specialised 64-bed isolation ward, supported by three dedicated medical teams working around the clock.
Medical professionals have emphasised that measles spreads rapidly among children, particularly those who are unvaccinated or have received incomplete immunisation. The majority of admitted patients have exhibited common symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and characteristic skin rashes.
Measles Situation Summary
| Indicator | Number |
|---|---|
| Total admissions | 685 |
| Currently under treatment | 85 |
| Recovered and discharged | 585 |
| Deaths recorded | 15 |
| New admissions (last 24 hours) | 33 |
| Discharged in last 24 hours | 28 |
| Deaths in last 24 hours | 0 |
Hospital officials further stated that patients are being managed under strict clinical protocols, including continuous monitoring, adequate fluid intake, fever control, and prevention of complications. Doctors and nurses are working in shifts to ensure uninterrupted care and to prevent any lapse in treatment.
Public health experts have warned that controlling the outbreak will require an urgent strengthening of immunisation efforts. They stress that without ensuring full vaccination coverage, particularly in high-risk areas, there is a significant likelihood of further spread.
Meanwhile, the hospital administration has urged parents and guardians to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms and to follow medical advice strictly. They have also advised avoiding crowded places and maintaining proper hygiene to reduce transmission risks.
Although the situation is currently considered to be under partial control, the continued admission of new cases has prompted the hospital to remain on high alert.