A further child has died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital within the past 24 hours amid an escalating outbreak of measles-like symptoms, bringing the total number of child fatalities at the facility to 52. Hospital authorities have described the situation as increasingly concerning, citing a sustained influx of new patients alongside mounting pressure on paediatric services.
The latest victim was a seven-month-old boy from the Bailor area of Trishal Upazila. According to family accounts, the infant was admitted on 1 June after developing symptoms consistent with measles. Despite prolonged treatment in hospital care, he passed away at 11:50 pm on Sunday.
Hospital records indicate that between 8 am on Sunday and 8 am on Monday, a further 17 children presenting with similar symptoms were admitted. Medical data covering the period from 17 March to the present shows that 2,279 children have been treated for suspected measles infection at the facility. Of these, 2,130 have recovered and been discharged, while 97 remain under active medical care.
Health professionals observing the outbreak report that a significant proportion of affected children have either not received vaccination or have incomplete immunisation histories. Experts warn that densely populated living conditions, limited public health awareness, and gaps in routine immunisation coverage are key factors contributing to the persistence of the outbreak.
Key hospital figures (17 March–present)
| Indicator | Number |
|---|---|
| Total admissions with symptoms | 2,279 |
| Recovered and discharged | 2,130 |
| Currently under treatment | 97 |
| Total deaths | 52 |
| New admissions (last 24 hours) | 17 |
| Deaths (last 24 hours) | 1 |
Senior store officer at the hospital, Jhontu Sarkar, confirmed the latest fatality and noted that patient admissions remain high. He added that medical teams, including doctors and nurses, are continuing to work under significant strain to manage the caseload.
Hospital administration has stated that dedicated monitoring and treatment arrangements for paediatric patients are in place, alongside efforts to strengthen emergency immunisation drives. Authorities have also urged parents and guardians to seek medical attention promptly at the first sign of symptoms, emphasising early intervention as a critical factor in reducing complications.
Local public health specialists have reiterated that vaccination remains the most effective tool in controlling measles outbreaks. They caution that without rapid improvement in community-level immunisation coverage, the situation could deteriorate further and place additional strain on already stretched healthcare facilities.
At present, both hospital management and health authorities are operating under sustained pr
