Sylhet Measles Outbreak Claims Three More Children

The measles outbreak in Bangladesh’s Sylhet Division continues to raise serious public health concerns, with three more children dying over the past 24 hours after suffering from suspected measles and pneumonia-related complications. During the same period, another 58 patients were admitted to hospitals across the division, prompting health authorities to maintain close surveillance as the number of hospitalised cases remains high.

Dr Mahbubul Alam, Divisional Director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Sylhet, confirmed that all three children died while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Their deaths have pushed the total number of suspected and laboratory-confirmed measles-related fatalities in the division to 103. Among those who have died, 102 were children and one was a nurse.

The latest victims have been identified as Tasfia, an 18-month-old girl from Khagaura village in Baniachang Upazila of Habiganj; Abdullah, a one-year-and-seven-month-old boy from Bongagatia in Jamalganj Upazila of Sunamganj; and Tanvir Ahmad, an eight-month-old boy from Harinapati in Sunamganj Sadar Upazila. All three children succumbed to their illnesses despite receiving intensive medical care.

According to the latest health department report, 545 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been recorded across Sylhet Division since 1 January this year. Sunamganj remains the worst-affected district, accounting for 287 confirmed infections. Sylhet District has reported 180 cases, while Habiganj has recorded 56 cases, including two patients who were also diagnosed with rubella. Moulvibazar has confirmed 22 infections. Although no new laboratory-confirmed cases were detected in the past 24 hours, hospitals continued to receive a significant number of patients displaying symptoms consistent with measles.

Of the 58 newly admitted patients, 29 were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and 24 to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital. One patient was admitted to Mount Adora Hospital, while Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital each admitted two patients.

A total of 265 patients are currently undergoing treatment at government and private healthcare facilities throughout the division. Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital is treating the largest number of patients, with 105 admissions. Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital has 92 patients, followed by Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital with 29. Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital is treating 11 patients, North East Hospital seven, Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital 10, Mount Adora Hospital three, Lions Hospital three, Habiganj District Sadar Hospital three, Bishwanath Upazila Health Complex one and Fenchuganj Upazila Health Complex one.

The outbreak has placed considerable pressure on healthcare services across the region, particularly paediatric wards and intensive care units, where many critically ill children are receiving specialised treatment. Health officials say hospitals are continuing to monitor patients closely while ensuring adequate clinical care and strengthening infection prevention measures.

The latest figures also show that 99 of the deaths have been classified as suspected measles cases, while four were laboratory-confirmed infections. District-wise, Sunamganj has recorded the highest death toll with 47 fatalities, followed by Sylhet with 35, Moulvibazar with 12 and Habiganj with nine.

Medical experts continue to stress that measles is one of the world’s most contagious viral diseases but is largely preventable through timely vaccination. Children who develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and the characteristic skin rash should receive immediate medical attention. Prompt hospital treatment is particularly important if complications such as pneumonia develop, as these significantly increase the risk of severe illness and death, especially among infants and young children.

Health authorities said surveillance activities remain active across the division alongside treatment efforts. Officials have once again urged parents to ensure that children receive all scheduled measles vaccinations on time, describing immunisation as the most effective safeguard against future outbreaks and preventable child deaths.