Doctors say measles outbreak may ease within weeks

Doctors in Bangladesh have said they expect the ongoing measles outbreak to subside within the next three to four weeks, citing widespread vaccination coverage among children across the country.

The assessment was made on Friday at a press conference in Dhaka organised by the Lung Foundation, a group of chest disease specialists, alongside the Chest and Heart Association, held at the Abu Sayeed Convention Center.

Medical experts confirmed that the measles outbreak is still active and expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of children linked to the disease. They extended condolences to grieving parents, saying the loss had become a source of national pain and grief.

Specialists warned that pneumonia remains the most serious complication of measles and is a leading cause of death among infected children. They said both viral and bacterial pneumonia cases were currently affecting children severely across the country.

The doctors also outlined four proposals submitted to the government to help contain the outbreak and reduce fatalities. These include continuing the measles vaccination campaign as a priority and establishing fever corners in district, upazila and divisional health facilities, particularly in remote areas, with adequate health workers deployed.

They further stressed the need for greater public awareness, urging parents to take sick children to hospitals immediately. They cautioned against delays caused by reliance on faith healing or treatment from local pharmacy shops, warning that such practices could worsen outcomes.

Several senior medical professionals attended the briefing, including child specialist Professor Abid Hossain Molla, paediatric pulmonologist and Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Lung Foundation Professor Dr Ruhul Amin, Vice President of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh Professor Dr Anarul Anam Kibria, paediatrician Professor Dr Nurul Amin, Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Lung Foundation Dr Kazi Saifuddin Benu, specialist physician Professor Dr Asif Mostafa Mahmud, and Secretary General of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh Dr Golam Sarwar Bidyut.