Measles Death Toll Nears 700, Dengue Claims 13 Lives
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Nine people died with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours across Bangladesh, pushing the combined death toll from measles-related symptoms to 698. Of them, 605 died with suspected measles, while authorities confirmed measles as the cause of death in 93 cases. The figures emerged from the regular measles bulletin of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The DGHS reported data covering the period from 8 am Wednesday to 8 am Thursday. The health authorities have been tracking measles cases under a revised reporting system since March 15, following the outbreak in the country.
Meanwhile, one more person died of dengue in the past 24 hours. With the latest fatality, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease this week has risen to six. Eight people have died from dengue this month, eight times higher than the previous month. The Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room of the DGHS provided the information.
The growing spread of both measles and dengue has alarmed the public. Parents of young children remain particularly concerned. One-year-old Amit Ahmed recently recovered from measles. He also suffers from low iron levels. With dengue cases rising, his parents have become increasingly worried about his health.
Amit’s mother, Salma Begum, said, “Despite our best efforts, we could not keep Amit away from measles. He remains very weak and is still suffering from post-measles complications. I constantly worry about what might happen if he contracts dengue as well.”
Mushtaq Hossain, former chief scientific officer of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research and a public health expert, said measles has been spreading since March. “People infected with measles, especially children, often have weakened immunity. Many are also suffering from post-measles complications. If they become infected with dengue, the situation could turn severe,” he said.
The public health expert added that, alongside rising fatalities, these patients are also likely to face more long-term health complications.
Reports of measles cases began emerging at the start of this year. The disease spread nationwide from late February, and the country has been facing an emergency situation since March. Of the nine people who died with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours, seven were from Dhaka. No confirmed measles deaths have been reported in recent days.
According to the DGHS regular bulletin, 893 people developed measles or measles-related symptoms in the past 24 hours, including 52 confirmed cases. The total number of measles and suspected measles cases has reached 108,535. Of them, authorities have confirmed measles infection in 11,442 people so far.
Public health expert Mohammad Iqbal said, “Mosquito breeding increases during the monsoon season. The risk of dengue infection usually remains highest from July to September. However, if the monsoon season extends longer than usual, the risk of dengue will rise further, and dengue cases may continue through October and November.”
An analysis of DGHS data shows that dengue has begun to intensify with the arrival of June. In the past 24 hours, 198 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals. A total of 835 dengue patients have been hospitalized so far this week, higher than previous weeks. This year, 5,515 dengue patients have required hospitalization, including 2,318 in June alone.
From January through June, dengue has claimed 13 lives. DGHS data show that five of the deceased were residents of the two Dhaka city corporations, three were from Mymensingh, and one each came from the Barishal, Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi divisions. Another person died in Dhaka but was not a resident of the capital.
Mohammad Iqbal, who has worked in public health for nearly four decades, said, “Rainfall has been heavier this year, and the dengue risk will remain high. Individuals, communities, and the state must work in a coordinated manner to control dengue. Failure to do so will lead to more infections and deaths.”
The public health expert said hospitals have established separate arrangements for measles patients and should do the same for dengue patients. He also stressed the need to bring patients to hospitals quickly to reduce fatalities. At the same time, hospitals must ensure adequate numbers of physicians, nurses, and beds in proportion to the number of patients to guarantee proper treatment and care.
