Hospitals across Bangladesh are grappling with a severe measles outbreak that has led to a surge in admissions and strained medical resources, health officials say. The outbreak, which began intensifying in mid-March, has been identified as the country’s deadliest in recent memory, exacerbated by a disruption in routine vaccination programs due to political unrest during 2024-25.

According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services released on Sunday, more than 32,300 suspected measles cases have been reported since the outbreak’s onset, with at least 259 children succumbing to the disease. Approximately 1,000 patients, predominantly children, are hospitalized daily nationwide, with half seeking care in Dhaka’s medical facilities after referrals from regions lacking specialized infectious disease treatment.

At Mohakhali Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka, the situation has reached critical levels, with patient numbers exceeding bed capacity. Dr. Ariful Bashar, a senior consultant at the hospital, described how the facility—normally dedicated to treating a variety of contagious diseases with 100 beds—is now focused primarily on measles patients. "All bed capacities are exhausted, and we are compelled to accommodate patients in the corridors as well," he said. The hospital has also had to suspend intensive care services for other infectious diseases to prioritize measles treatment.

The airborne nature of measles, which is particularly dangerous for children under five, presents additional challenges. Dr. Bashar noted that the virus spreads at a rate six times higher than COVID-19, making effective isolation difficult amid staff shortages. With insufficient nursing resources, hospitals have been forced to allow parents and guardians to remain with infected children, a factor that may facilitate further transmission of the disease.

At the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, a leading pediatric medical center in Dhaka, clinicians report a rise in the number of children experiencing complications. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mahbubul Huq, the hospital’s director, explained that infected children often suffer weakened immune systems, increasing their susceptibility to secondary infections such as pneumonia and diarrhea, thereby intensifying the demand for hospital care.

The outbreak’s severity is largely attributed to interruptions in the country’s mass measles vaccination drives due to political instability following widespread protests which resulted in the overthrow of the previous government. Health authorities continue to mobilize resources to contain the spread, but medical personnel highlight that the lack of adequate infrastructure and staff poses significant hurdles in managing the crisis.