A measles outbreak in Bangladesh has claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 children since it began in mid-March, with cases continuing to rise despite efforts to control the spread. According to the government’s Directorate General of Health Services, as of early September, 999 to 1,002 children have died exhibiting measles symptoms, with at least 100 of these deaths confirmed through laboratory testing. The outbreak has affected more than 166,000 suspected cases nationwide, including nearly 20,000 laboratory-confirmed infections.

The disease, which is highly contagious and airborne, causes symptoms such as high fever, cough, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. Severe complications like pneumonia, diarrhea, and encephalitis are common in young children, often resulting in fatal outcomes. Measles is preventable through vaccination, requiring a coverage rate of approximately 95% to effectively halt transmission and protect those too young or unable to be vaccinated.

The outbreak's resurgence is linked to significant disruptions in Bangladesh’s routine immunization programs over recent years. Prior to 2020, the country had largely controlled measles, recording only a few hundred cases annually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted vaccination efforts in 2021 and 2022, with many parents missing routine child immunizations during that time. Further setbacks occurred in 2024 when a scheduled nationwide measles vaccination campaign was largely missed amid political turmoil and administrative changes.

Political instability played a key role in these disruptions. In August 2024, mass protests led to the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently went into exile. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took power before elections were held in early 2025. The current administration, headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attributes vaccine shortages and coverage gaps to planning failures under the previous governments. Hasina, from exile, has criticized the interim government for the crisis.

Healthcare facilities in Dhaka and across Bangladesh report being overwhelmed by the surge in measles cases. At Dhaka Shishu Hospital, one of the country's primary pediatric centers, doctors are treating children with severe complications resulting from measles infections. Pediatric specialist Atiqul Islam described the ongoing strain on medical staff as they cope with a steady influx of critically ill patients, emphasizing that despite recent improvements, the public health system remains under significant pressure.

Authorities launched an emergency vaccination campaign in March in collaboration with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Gavi vaccine alliance. The effort initially targeted children aged six months to five years before expanding in phases nationwide. Despite these interventions, the outbreak persists, underscoring challenges in achieving adequate vaccination coverage to prevent further fatalities.