Measles Cases Drop Sharply in 30 Hotspots Upazilas
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Measles infections have dropped sharply in 30 hotspot upazilas, with the number of new cases now almost negligible. Health authorities also said the overall measles situation across Bangladesh remains under control.
World Health Organization representative Dr. Chiranjit Das said vaccines generally take two to three weeks to show effectiveness. He said analysis found that after vaccination campaigns began on April 5 in the 30 identified hotspot upazilas, the number of new infections has now become almost insignificant. According to him, patient numbers in those areas started declining visibly after April 17, which clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the vaccination drive. He added that a similar trend is also emerging in five city corporation areas.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider said the child death rate from measles currently remains stable overall. However, he noted that it would take several more weeks to see the full benefits of the vaccination campaign, as the human body generally requires three to four weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.
Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas told BSS that measles infections among children have declined significantly in areas where campaigns were launched initially.
A BSS correspondent from Chapainawabganj reported that while two patients were admitted to the district hospital in January and five in February, measles cases rose sharply in March. The situation took on epidemic proportions in April, when nearly 100 patients were admitted daily. Currently, however, only eight to 10 patients are being admitted each day.
Chapainawabganj Civil Surgeon Dr. AKM Shahab Uddin told BSS that the measles outbreak in the district has declined considerably.
District hospital Superintendent Dr. Mashiur Rahman said recent admission figures indicate that the measles situation in Chapainawabganj is improving.
A BSS correspondent from Natore reported that a special vaccination campaign in Natore Sadar upazila has brought relief among residents. At present, there have been no reports of deaths or serious complications linked to measles symptoms.
Natore Civil Surgeon Dr. Muhammad Mashiur Rahman told BSS that the special measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Natore Sadar achieved 100 percent coverage of targeted children. As a result, children’s immunity has increased and measles infections have declined. Public awareness has also improved, he added.
Pabna Civil Surgeon Md. Abul Kalam Azad told BSS that children are still contracting measles, though infections have decreased significantly. In March, district Sadar hospital admitted 19 to 21 measles patients daily, while the current number has dropped to eight to 10 admissions a day.