Bangladesh measles outbreak: Death toll crosses 600 as 7 children die in 24 hours
After the latest fatalities, the cumulative number of suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths in the South Asian country has reached 601 since March 15.
The Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali – the only specialised infectious disease hospital in Bangladesh – is facing severe overcrowding and forced to treat measles, AIDS, chickenpox, rabies and malaria patients in the same wards and corridors due to major space shortages.
Despite being the south Asian nation’s main referral facility for infectious diseases, the hospital is dealing with unhygienic conditions and critical resource shortages, as it treats some of the deadliest contagious diseases.
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The critical condition of the hospital has raised fresh concerns over patient safety and infection control, amid the ongoing measles crisis, according to Dhaka Tribune.
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Hospital data showed that as many as 51 measles patients were admitted on Thursday, May 21, even when the facility had only 15 designated measles beds.
Several of the measles patients were found to be occupying wards, corridors and spaces near lifts on multiple floors of the hospital. During the same time, the 100-bed hospital treated AIDS, rabies, tetanus, chickenpox and other infectious disease patients.
health experts have now warned that such pathetic condition at the facility significantly increase the risk of cross-infection inside the hospital, which is specifically meant to contain contagious diseases.
The Dhaka Tribune report highlights that an 11-year-old patient, named Asma Akter from Kishoreganj, was first admitted to the hospital with chickenpox. After recovering and returning home, the family members re-admitted her as she later contracted measles.
Relatives of patients have complained about overcrowding and poor sanitation at the facility and said that the attendants are forced to sleep inside corridors due to shortages of beds.
Due to lack of ventilation in a corridor of the hospital, one person stated that they were even forced to buy a small fan, while people can see scattered waste, overflowing spaces and inadequate cleaning arrangements on all floors.
A total of 1,875 patients with measles symptoms visited the hospital in 2026 itself. Out of them, 1,124 required admission and 406 were confirmed measles cases. During this period, at least 43 patients have died with measles or measles-like symptoms.
Acknowledging lack of facilities at the hospital, Hospital Superintendent AFA Asma Khanom said there are only 19 sanitation workers and it was impossible to maintain proper hygiene standards.
“I am trying from my position… Even though efforts are being made to improve the environment, the desired change cannot be achieved,” Khanom said.
Measles outbreak in Bangladesh
Measles outbreak in Bangladesh claimed the lives of seven children in 24 hours till 8 a.m. on Thursday. This has taken the overall death toll to 488 since March 15, as per the data provided by the country’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As per the government bulletin, four of the deaths were classified as suspected measles-related fatalities and three were laboratory-confirmed.
Among all the regions, Chittagong has recorded the highest number of deaths. Since March 15, Bangladesh has recorded 405 suspected measles deaths and 83 confirmed deaths.
In the same period, 1,423 new suspected measles cases were reported, which takes the total number of suspected infections to 59,279.
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