Bangladesh records second-highest daily measles death toll for second consecutive day

Bangladesh recorded its second-highest single-day death toll from measles and measles-like symptoms for the second consecutive day, with 16 children dying in the last 24 hours until 8am on Sunday.

According to data released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest fatalities pushed the total death toll from the outbreak to 528 since March 15, 2026.

All 16 newly reported deaths were categorised as suspected measles-related fatalities. Among them, the highest number of deaths - 10 - was reported from Dhaka Division.

With the latest figures, the number of suspected measles deaths has increased to 442, while the number of laboratory-confirmed deaths remained unchanged at 86.

Health authorities also reported a sharp rise in infections over the past 24 hours. A total of 1,306 new suspected measles cases were recorded during the period, taking the nationwide number of suspected infections to 63,813 since the outbreak began.

In addition, 128 new confirmed measles cases were identified, raising the total confirmed infections to 8,622 across the country.

DGHS data further showed that 50,558 suspected measles patients have so far been admitted to hospitals since 15 March. Of them, 46,214 patients have recovered after receiving treatment.

The country had recorded 13 deaths from measles and similar symptoms on Saturday, making Sunday the second straight day with one of the highest daily death tolls since the outbreak began.

Earlier, on 4 May, Bangladesh reported 17 deaths in a single day - the highest daily death count linked to the highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease since the outbreak started earlier this year.