Main roads
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Bangladesh grapples with deadly measles outbreak, with more than 500 child deaths and tens of thousands of suspected cases
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UNICEF blames delays in vaccine procurement and deficiencies in routine immunization
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An emergency vaccine drive is beginning to flatten the curve
THURSDAY, May 28, 2026 (NewsDay News) – More than 500 suspected or confirmed measles-infected children have died in Bangladesh since March, according to the country’s health ministry.
While the exact number has not been confirmed, it is estimated that suspected cases have exceeded 60,000 in more than two months. BBC reported. Doctors and nurses treating patients with the virus have canceled their holiday leave as hospitals in the South Asian country struggle to save lives and slow the spread, the health minister said.
UNICEF described the situation in hospitals as dire. It said its staff, according to multiple reports, help hospitals isolate and diagnose children as needed.
Al Amin, whose daughter died of measles 27 days after first being admitted to five hospitals, is being tortured on suspicion that she may have contracted the virus in the hospital.
“From the ticket office to the X-ray room, there was a measles patient everywhere,” he said BBC.
People travel to cities from areas that cannot get help from local health clinics.
“Poor people usually don’t come to public hospitals until the last minute because they have to buy medicine and tests,” he said. Mushtaq HusainFormer researcher of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. He said BBC that if there are better health care resources at the local level, fewer of them will need emergency hospitalization.
UNICEF has identified several factors that increase the risk of infection.
These included groups whose children were not aware of routine immunizations as of 2023; high population density in certain areas; and the main trip for the holiday, according to Flowers of RanaHead of Bangladesh UNICEF.
“It’s a bit of a perfect storm,” he said at a news conference.
One particular factor that UNICEF noticed was the delay in vaccine orders, which it attributed to a change in the country’s procurement pattern – a transition by the interim government. UNICEF has repeatedly highlighted these delays.
“I can tell you I’ve sat down with the interim counsel and the staff at least 10 times,” Flowers said. BBC“They said we’re worried, look at my face, I’m worried you’re going to face termination.” “
Sayedur Rahmon, MDa former special assistant at the Ministry of Health, said in a social media post that the vaccine procurement process remained unchanged during the interim government.
“There has been a regular and continuous cooperative relationship with UNICEF on vaccine issues,” he said.
Bangladesh launched an emergency vaccination campaign in April, which UNICEF said helped flatten the curve in hard-hit areas. During the pre-election campaign, these areas were given priority.
Although the full impact of the vaccine across the country will take time to see, according to UNICEF, it has helped reduce the number of new infections.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, Sardar Sakhavat Hussainthe number is expected to decrease soon.
“It takes three to four weeks for children to develop antibodies after vaccination,” he said. “We expect it to be finished next week, God willing.”
While measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles cases and outbreaks due to unvaccinated foreign travelers continue.
The virus can easily cross borders and spread to those who are not protected.
More information
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on this outbreak of measles.
SOURCE: BBCMay 26, 2026
What does this mean for you?
Measles is highly contagious and spreads quickly through coughing and sneezing. Young children under 5 are at high risk, and parents should check with health care providers about vaccinations.
