Bangladesh measles outbreak kills nearly 1,000 in worst crisis on record

Bangladesh is experiencing its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed deaths reported since March, driven by vaccination gaps and hospital overcrowding. The outbreak is currently the largest in the world, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 166,000 suspected cases have been recorded, including 19,835 laboratory-confirmed infections, with over 146,000 patients hospitalized. Experts attribute the crisis to disrupted routine immunizations in 2024 and 2025 following political turmoil, which led to vaccine shortages and missed vaccinations, particularly leaving infants under nine months vulnerable. Hospitals are struggling with a surge of patients, compounded by a concurrent dengue outbreak, with facilities like Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital treating over 2,350 patients despite a 1,350 capacity. An emergency vaccination campaign has reached over 19.7 million children, but experts stress the need for stronger routine immunization and catch-up efforts to contain the disease.