PM to launch nationwide measles vaccination today

The government is set to launch a nationwide measles-vaccination campaign today, as fresh deaths and infections continue to surge.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the campaign in Bogura, officials said.

Earlier, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said there was no shortage of vaccines or logistics in  government facilities to support the drive.

The move comes amid a worsening outbreak that has claimed 217 children's lives in the past month since March 15, including four deaths reported in the last 24 hours, according to health authorities. Of the total fatalities, 36 were confirmed measles cases, while 181 involved children with measles-like symptoms.

In the latest deaths, one child died from confirmed measles and three from suspected infections, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its daily bulletin.

During the same period, total infections rose to 23,606, including 1,197 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

The number of confirmed cases reached 3,443, with 165 new confirmed infections.

Since March 15, a total of 15,326 measles patients have been admitted to hospitals nationwide, of whom 12,396 have recovered and returned home.

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