A severe measles outbreak in Bangladesh has resulted in 747 confirmed and suspected deaths and infected over 108,998 people, health authorities reported on July 9, 2026.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported two new suspected fatalities and 818 new suspected infections within the last 24 hours, highlighting a massive surge that began escalating in mid-March.
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Data from the DGHS shows that out of the total fatalities, 654 are classified as suspected measles deaths while 93 have been laboratory-confirmed.
Since March 15, 92,031 patients have required hospitalization.
A separate report from The Daily Star, covering March 2026 through June 30, noted even higher estimates of 6,258 associated deaths and 101,077 suspected cases among children under five.
According to UNICEF, the true epidemiological toll is likely much higher due to overwhelmed medical infrastructure, congested hospital wards, and steep data collection hurdles across rural and urban districts.
Vaccine Shortage and Delayed Procurement
The international agency attributed the crisis to delayed procurement under previous administrations, pandemic disruptions, lack of mass campaigns since 2020, and low exclusive breastfeeding rates that weaken infant immunity.
"I have never seen an outbreak this huge," said paediatrician Dr Mohammed Golam Mawla of Medical College Hospital.
He noted that the facility in Mymensingh is operating at double its intended capacity, with nearly 130 patients crammed into just 32 rooms.
"This disease was under control in our country," Mawla added.
Health officials stated that an emergency inoculation drive launched in April has reached 18.4 million children, slowing transmission rates, though the country still averages nearly 1,000 daily suspected cases.
