Measles and dengue claim 16 lives in a single day
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Both measles and dengue are preventable diseases. Yet, in a single day, these two diseases claimed 16 lives.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed the matter in its regular bulletins.
In the last 24 hours, 8 people died of measles while another 8 people lost their lives to dengue. Moreover, 1,232 people were newly infected with measles, and 1,733 people were hospitalized after contracting dengue.
As deaths and infections from these two preventable diseases continue to surge one after another, concern over the overall public health situation is growing.
Public health experts say there is no alternative to increasing vaccination coverage to control measles. Meanwhile, to combat dengue, effective measures must be taken nationwide throughout the year to control Aedes mosquitoes, rather than relying solely on seasonal drives.
DGHS said out of the 8 people who died of measles, 4 were residents of Dhaka Division and 4 were residents of Sylhet Division. With this, the death toll from measles in the country over the last six months has reached 1,030.
Most of the deceased are children, with the highest number of deaths recorded among children under two years of age.
Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Chief Scientific Officer and Public Health Expert Mushtuq Hossain said, “Even a single death from measles is unacceptable. Over a thousand children have died there. Looking at the situation, it seems the government has given up on the matter, which is disappointing.”
He alleged that a firm stance from the government is not visible in controlling measles.
The measles outbreak began in the country in March of this year. According to the DGHS, 1,232 people were newly infected with measles in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected cases to 1,92,844. The number of infections is also highest in Dhaka Division.
Dengue is also turning severe. According to the DGHS, among the 8 people who died of dengue in the last 24 hours, 4 were residents of Dhaka Division, 3 of Chattogram Division, and 1 of Mymensingh Division.
The death toll from dengue this year stands at 157, including 82 women. The total number of dengue cases this year has reached 53,570, with the infection rate being higher among the young and working population.
