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Four more die with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours -

One dies of dengue, 473 hospitalised


FE REPORT | July 20, 2026 00:00:00


A sharp rise in measles and related symptoms continues to take a heavy toll on children across the country, with four more deaths and 1,051 new cases recorded in a single day.

Four children died exhibiting measles-like symptoms over the 24 hours until Sunday morning, according to the latest daily update from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Three of the deceased children were from the Dhaka division, while the remaining victim was from the Sylhet division. No fatalities were recorded from laboratory-confirmed measles cases during this 24-hour window.

However, the latest figures push the total death toll from the current outbreak-which has been tracked closely since mid-March-to 788 children, raising concerns over healthcare management and immunization coverage.

According to official data, a total of 788 children have died from measles and related complications between March 15 and July 19. Of the total fatalities, 95 deaths were laboratory-confirmed cases of measles, while 693 children succumbed to severe measles-like symptoms.

The DGHS report noted that 113 children tested positive for measles over the last 24 hours, while another 938 patients were identified with symptoms, totaling 1,051 new cases in a day.

Since March 15, the aggregate number of suspected measles cases in Bangladesh has surged to 117,648, out of which 14,431 have been clinically confirmed.

The outbreak has caused significant hospitalisations, placing pressure on secondary and tertiary medical facilities. Over the last four months, a total of 100,137 patients required hospital admission.

Health officials stated that treatment protocols remain active, with 96,521 patients having successfully recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far.

Meanwhile, the country's dengue situation continues to worsen as one more fatality and 473 new hospitalisations were recorded across the country in the 24 hours ending Sunday morning.

With the latest casualty, the total death toll from the mosquito-borne viral disease has climbed to 34 this year, according to the daily update from the Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

sajibur@gmail.com


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