Seven more children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours to 8:00am on Friday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of Bangladesh.
During the same period, 172 confirmed measles cases and 1,215 suspected cases were reported nationwide. The DGHS said suspected cases are not always laboratory confirmed, as patients are often diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. It added that there is also a shortage of laboratory testing capacity.
The health authority said a total of 19,705 suspected patients have been admitted to hospital so far, of whom 16,527 have recovered and been discharged.
Since 15 March, the DGHS has recorded measles-related deaths under two categories: confirmed deaths and suspected deaths where measles symptoms were present but laboratory confirmation was not carried out. It said there have been 42 confirmed deaths and 198 suspected deaths as of Friday.
On Thursday, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) said in a statement that the current reporting method is causing public confusion. It added that suspected deaths should be counted as measles deaths. If that approach is followed, the total number of child deaths since 15 March would rise to 240.
The DGHS reiterated that surveillance data continues to be updated as new cases are reported, with 1,215 suspected infections and 172 confirmed cases recorded in the latest 24-hour period alone.
.jpg "Bangladesh records 4 more measles-related deaths in past 24 hours")
