Bangladesh faces record measles outbreak as vaccination gaps drive spread

Bangladesh is facing its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed deaths since March, making it the world's largest current outbreak, according to the US CDC. The outbreak has seen over 166,000 suspected cases and 146,000 hospitalizations, driven by vaccination gaps from 2024-2025 political turmoil that disrupted routine immunizations and vaccine supplies, leaving children vulnerable. Hospitals are overwhelmed, also battling a dengue surge, with facilities like Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital treating over 2,350 patients despite a 1,350 capacity. An emergency campaign has vaccinated 19.7 million children, but experts say stronger routine immunization is still needed.