Concern over the spread of measles and related complications has intensified across Bangladesh’s Sylhet division after three more people, including two children, died within 24 hours with measles-like symptoms and pneumonia.
During the same period, 91 new patients suspected of having measles were admitted to hospitals across the division. With those admissions, 271 patients are currently receiving treatment at government and private hospitals in Sylhet, according to figures from the divisional office of the Directorate General of Health Services.
Health authorities said 18 additional patients were confirmed to have measles in the past 24 hours. Since 1 January this year, the number of confirmed measles cases in the division has reached 827.
The three latest deaths were reported from hospitals in Sylhet and Habiganj. They were eight-month-old Ayan Ahmed, son of Murshed Alam of Companyganj upazila in Sylhet; three-year-four-month-old Mohammad Ehsanul, son of Abdul Awal of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj; and 18-year-old Barna Rani Das, wife of Nepal Pal of Baniachong upazila in Habiganj.
Ayan Ahmed died at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Sylhet. Ehsanul died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, while Barna Rani Das died at Habiganj 250-bed District Sadar Hospital.
Dr Mahbubul Alam, director of the Sylhet divisional health office, confirmed the deaths. He said children accounted for a large proportion of those admitted with symptoms associated with measles during the latest 24-hour period.
The health authorities are particularly concerned about complications arising from infection. Pneumonia and breathing difficulties can make measles significantly more dangerous, especially for young children and other vulnerable patients. Patients whose condition deteriorates may require close monitoring and hospital-based treatment.
Of the 91 newly admitted suspected cases, 25 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 51 to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, five to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and seven to Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital.
The current distribution of patients also shows considerable pressure on several facilities. Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital is treating 121 patients, while 62 are receiving care at Osmani Medical College Hospital. Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital has six patients and North East Hospital has six. Five patients are at Golapganj Upazila Health Complex and two at Beanibazar Upazila Health Complex. Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital is treating 41 patients, while Habiganj District Sadar Hospital has two and Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital has 21.
Health department figures show that confirmed measles cases are spread across all four districts of the division. Sylhet has recorded 271 confirmed cases, Habiganj 103, Moulvibazar 102 and Sunamganj 351. Two patients included in Habiganj’s confirmed case records were diagnosed with rubella.
Sunamganj currently has the highest number of confirmed cases in the division, accounting for more than two-fifths of the total confirmed cases. Sylhet also continues to report a substantial number of infections, while Habiganj and Moulvibazar remain affected by ongoing transmission.
The latest three deaths have taken the total number of suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths in the division to 125. According to the health authorities, 123 of those who died were children, while one was a woman and another was a nurse.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and can spread rapidly among people who have not developed immunity. While many patients recover, complications such as pneumonia, severe breathing difficulties and other infections can make the disease life-threatening. Young children are particularly vulnerable when infection is accompanied by serious respiratory complications.
Public health specialists therefore stress the importance of timely vaccination, early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical attention. Keeping suspected or confirmed patients away from others can also help reduce transmission, particularly in crowded households and healthcare settings.
The rising number of suspected admissions is adding pressure to hospitals across the division. Health authorities are now facing the dual challenge of providing treatment to those already seriously ill while containing further transmission. Early identification of cases, appropriate isolation, close monitoring of children with respiratory complications and ensuring access to vaccination remain central to efforts to contain the outbreak.
