At least 10 more children have died of measles-like symptoms across the country in the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 159, including 21 confirmed cases, health authorities said on Wednesday.
Of the latest suspected deaths, six were reported in Dhaka division.
During the same period, 1,248 new suspected cases were recorded, including 189 confirmed infections, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The total number of confirmed cases has risen to 1,599 since March 15, while suspected cases have reached 11,133.
A total of 7,577 children have been admitted to hospitals with measles-like symptoms during this period, of whom 5,241 have been released after recovery.
However, icddr,b has begun supplying low-cost Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) devices to hospitals to support treatment of children with severe respiratory complications linked to measles.
The use of bCPAP is expanding, with six hospitals already providing treatment and 29 children receiving care as of April 7, icddr,b said on Wednesday.
Early use of the device has helped stabilise critically ill children who might otherwise require more complex treatment.
Developed by Dr Mohammod Jobayer Chisti, a senior scientist at icddr,b, bCPAP is a simple respiratory support system that helps keep lungs open and improves oxygen delivery in children suffering from severe pneumonia and hypoxaemia.
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