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Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Highlights Urgent Need for Vaccination
Measles is a disease that can spread very easily between people.
Bangladesh has had a large outbreak since March, and almost 900 people are suspected to have died, most of them children.
Many children were not fully protected because routine vaccinations were disrupted and coverage fell.
In April, Bangladesh began a large campaign to vaccinate children from six months to five years old.
Health workers gave children with suspected or confirmed measles vitamin A to help reduce the chance of severe illness.
Hospitals and health teams also took steps to care for patients and slow the spread.
The article says about 95% of a community needs measles vaccination to keep the disease under control.
It warns that vaccination gaps and mistrust can allow outbreaks to return.
Bangladesh’s measles outbreak began in March, with almost 900 suspected deaths, most among children.
From March 15 to September 6, authorities reported 92 suspected and 11 confirmed cases per 100,000 people.
Childhood vaccination coverage had fallen to 87%, following years of disruption to routine services.
An emergency campaign began in April, offering an additional measles-rubella vaccine dose to children aged six months to five years.
Health authorities also provided vitamin A, strengthened hospital infection controls and worked with international and community organizations.
- Who
- Children and other people affected by the measles outbreak in Bangladesh; Bangladesh’s health authorities are leading the response.
- What
- A measles outbreak has led to almost 900 suspected deaths and prompted a nationwide emergency vaccination campaign.
- Where
- Bangladesh.
- When
- The outbreak began in March; the article reports case rates for March 15 to September 6 and a campaign launched in April.
- Why
- Routine vaccination services were disrupted, leaving children without full protection; the article also identifies vaccine hesitancy and social factors as possible contributors.
Key facts
- Suspected deaths
- Almost 900; most of those affected are children.
- Reported case rates
- From March 15 to September 6: 92 suspected and 11 confirmed cases per 100,000 population.
- Estimated population
- 178 million.
- Vaccination coverage
- Childhood vaccination coverage had fallen to 87%.
- Emergency campaign
- Started in early April in 30 sub-districts across 18 priority districts, then expanded nationwide later that month.
- Campaign target
- Children aged six months to five years; the WHO advised one additional dose for children in the target age group.
- Herd-immunity threshold
- The article says around 95% of a community needs to be vaccinated to keep measles under control.
Quotes
Afrida
A mother who brought her two children for emergency measles vaccinations at a hospital in West Dhaka.
“I brought them because I know the vaccine will protect them”
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Sources
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