Hundreds of children die within months as measles cases soar in Bangladesh

For Al Amin, a resident of Dhaka, his daughter Akira was the “crown of all.” A fast learner who began speaking English at just over four years old, her life was cut short after a series of systemic failures left her unprotected against a preventable disease.

Despite his efforts to secure the measles vaccine, Al Amin says he took Akira to be vaccinated four times. Twice she was turned away due to a cold, and the following two times, he was told the vaccine was unavailable.

On March 8, Akira was hospitalized with what appeared to be a normal fever. After being discharged and readmitted a total of five times, a doctor finally diagnosed her with measles on the fifth occasion. She died 27 days after her first admission while on life support.

A Growing Public Health Crisis

Akira’s story is part of a larger, devastating trend. According to the country’s health ministry, over 500 children with suspected and confirmed cases of measles have died in Bangladesh since March.

In just over two months, suspected cases have climbed to over 60,000. While many are still awaiting laboratory results, the high contagion rate of the virus—which spreads through coughs and sneezes—has put immense pressure on the healthcare system.

UNICEF reports that hospitals have been overwhelmed, with staff working to provide triage and isolation measures where they are otherwise lacking. Many families are travelling from local clinics to cities in hopes of finding adequate care.

Did You Know? In 2024, following the flight of long-term ruler Sheikh Hassina and the appointment of an interim government, changes to the vaccine procurement process reportedly led to delays in placing essential orders.

The ‘Perfect Storm’ of Contagion

Rana Flowers, the Bangladesh country head for UNICEF, described the situation as a “perfect storm.” Several factors combined to increase the risk of the outbreak, including high population density in areas like Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka.

Vaccination gaps that opened during the Covid pandemic also played a role. Dr. Mushtaq Husain, former Principal Scientific Officer at the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, noted that door-to-door vaccination efforts were discouraged during the pandemic to avoid transmission.

UNICEF flagged risks associated with vaccine procurement delays during 10 separate meetings with the interim government. However, Md Sayedur Rahman, a former Special Assistant to the interim chief advisor for the health ministry, stated on social media that no changes were implemented in the procurement process during that tenure.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this crisis highlights the fragility of immunization chains during political transitions. When procurement systems are altered or delayed, the resulting “immunity gap” can leave thousands of children vulnerable, turning a manageable health risk into a national catastrophe.

Emergency Response and Future Risks

At the start of April, Bangladesh launched an emergency vaccination campaign with the help of international aid agencies. UNICEF suggests that new infections have declined and numbers have started to plateau in some of the most badly affected areas.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain has cancelled Eid holiday leave for doctors and nurses to manage the surge. He expects infections to drop soon, noting that it takes three to four weeks for babies to create antibodies after vaccination.

Despite these efforts, concerns remain regarding the Eid holiday. Dr. Husain warned that the movement of thousands of children between towns and villages could lead to further mixing of infected and healthy children.

Minister Hossain has dismissed calls to declare a state of emergency, asserting that district-level hospitals are ready and capable of handling the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the measles outbreak in Bangladesh?
The outbreak is attributed to a “perfect storm” of factors, including delays in vaccine procurement by the interim government, vaccination gaps caused by the Covid pandemic, high population density in cities like Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, and population movements during holidays.

How many children have been affected?
The health ministry reports over 500 deaths since March and over 60,000 suspected cases in just over two months.

What is the government doing to stop the spread?
The government has launched an emergency vaccination campaign, cancelled Eid holiday leave for medical staff, and utilized district-level hospitals to supply ICUs in remote areas.

How can global health systems better protect vaccine procurement during periods of political instability?