Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Kills Over 1,000 Children, Exposing Vaccine Gaps

Bangladesh is battling a measles outbreak that has killed over 1,000 children since March, with 187,484 infections recorded, exposing critical vaccination gaps and straining the healthcare system. The Directorate General of Health Services reported 1,002 child deaths, making it one of the country's deadliest measles outbreaks in decades. A mass vaccination campaign has reached over 18 million children, but approximately four million remain unvaccinated, creating pockets of low immunity. The crisis is compounded by childhood malnutrition, which worsens measles outcomes, and a concurrent dengue outbreak with 45,475 cases and 130 deaths since January. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with some facilities treating 500 dengue patients despite capacity for 50.