Bangladesh faces its worst measles outbreak on record as vaccination gaps fuel spread

Bangladesh is facing its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed deaths reported since March, making it the world's largest current outbreak. Hospitals are struggling with overcrowding and shortages as sick children continue to arrive. The outbreak follows disruption to routine immunisation in 2024 and 2025 during political turmoil after the uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Health officials blame weak programme oversight, procurement policy changes, and vaccine shortages for leaving children vulnerable, with under-fives accounting for about 80% of early cases. Bangladesh had maintained vaccination coverage at or above the WHO-recommended 95% level for most of the past decade. An emergency campaign has vaccinated over 19.7 million children, but experts say stronger routine immunisation and catch-up efforts are still needed to contain the crisis.