Bangladesh’s measles crisis deepened over the weekend, with seven more children dying in the 24 hours to Sunday morning. The total death toll now stands at 1,196 — 1,092 suspected and 104 confirmed deaths, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. Cumulative suspected cases have reached 213,244, with 23,122 confirmed; 189,484 patients have been hospitalised since March 15, of whom 181,756 have recovered.
A Reuters investigation published Saturday traced the catastrophe to a vaccination programme that faltered in 2025. First-dose coverage fell to 90 per cent and second-dose coverage to 86 per cent. In the political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed, and follow-up vaccinations were disrupted. An emergency campaign in April and May reached nearly 20 million children — but Reuters found millions may have been missed: a separate June intervention targeting the same age group listed four million more children. By August, the share of confirmed measles cases in unvaccinated children was almost unchanged. A new campaign for 3.4 million missed children began at the end of September.
Why the deaths won’t stop yet
Public health expert Mushtuq Husain has warned that children need three to four weeks after vaccination to develop sufficient immunity — meaning the wave of infections and deaths could continue for at least another month despite the ongoing drive. “A real warning to every country,” said Mark Jit, a WHO vaccine adviser, adding that preventing outbreaks through vaccination is easier, cheaper and safer than reacting after the disease spreads.
The vaccination gap
The Global Centre for Democratic Governance points to vaccine supply disruptions and cancelled immunisation programmes during the 2024–25 interim government as key contributing factors. Bangladesh reinstated procurement through UNICEF in April 2026, but experts say the outbreak’s momentum means containment will take several more weeks. The trajectory of daily cases will be closely watched as the first vaccinated cohorts begin to develop protection. Health officials say the coming weeks will reveal whether the emergency campaigns are finally turning the tide against an outbreak that has already claimed more than a thousand young lives.
