Bangladesh measles outbreak: Death toll crosses 600 as 7 children die in 24 hours

The death toll from measles outbreak in Bangladesh crossed the 600-mark after seven children died of suspected measles in the 24-hour period ending 8 a.m. on Wednesday, as per the latest data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

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, Dhaka Tribune reported.

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Out of the total deaths in the country, 511 were classified as suspected measles deaths, while 90 were laboratory-confirmed. Notably, no confirmed deaths were reported during the latest 24-hour reporting period.

Also, Bangladesh recorded 1,210 new suspected measles cases in the past 24 hours, which raises the overall number of suspected infections to 74,572 since the outbreak began, according to the Health Emergency Operations Centre and Control Room of the DGHS.

During the same period, 55 new cases of measles have been confirmed through laboratory testing, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 9,191.

Health authorities informed that among the 60,158 suspected measles patients, who were hospitalised since March 15, 55,942 have recovered and been discharged.

Among major cities in Bangladesh, Dhaka continues to remain the worst-affected district in terms of mortality, recording the highest number of both suspected and confirmed measles deaths, as per Dhaka Tribune.

During the past 24-hour period, six of the seven deaths were reported in the capital city.