Measles outbreak has taken an epidemic form: Experts

Public health experts have described the country's worsening measles situation as an epidemic, as seven more children died of confirmed and suspected cases in the past 24 hours, signalling a deepening health crisis.
Hospitals are overwhelmed as new patients, mostly children, are being admitted, including in the city's hospitals.
All the latest deaths were reported in Dhaka.
A total of 118 patients have died with measles-like symptoms and 20 others from confirmed measles.
A total of 180 new cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours until Monday, while 1,282 new suspected cases were reported, taking the total suspected cases to 8,534 since March 15 this year, according to the DGHS on Monday.
Health specialists said that acknowledging the real situation and declaring an emergency (epidemic) would help secure national and global attention, mobilise financial aid, and ensure emergency allocations to improve the situation.
"When a situation (health event or disease) goes beyond certain limit, it is called an epidemic. The number of patients is 70-80 times higher compared to previous years. Deaths are higher. Hospitals are overwhelmed with an increasing number of patients," Prof Be-nazir Ahmed, a health expert and former director of disease control at DGHS, told The Financial Express (FE).
"New dedicated wards in hospitals are being allocated. The government has cancelled leave for health staff. All these developments are beyond expectations and indicate an epidemic."
Experts said there is a perception that exposing the real situation may create panic, but in reality, informing people properly helps address such outbreaks more effectively.
They also alleged that political governments tend to portray situations as being under control.
"If we announce an emergency, the finance ministry can allocate emergency funds, procure vaccines at short notice, seek global attention, and ensure the release of funds from organisations," said Prof Be-nazir Ahmed, the former health official.
People need to be properly informed to fight the outbreak, he said, suggesting a national guideline on measles management.
They also noted that disruption in vaccination campaigns and coverage gaps have contributed to the situation.
"If an outbreak occurs, it indicates disruption in vaccination campaigns and expected coverage," he added.
Echoing the same, Dr Mushtaq Hossain, a public health specialist and former IEDCR adviser, told The FE that "this measles outbreak is undoubtedly an epidemic."
"Outbreaks are epidemics, but there is often hesitation due to fear of panic. However, acknowledging the situation helps global partners engage more effectively with the government," he said.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we asked development partners like the WHO and World Bank for more vaccines and funds, but they said without an official emergency declaration, they could not extend full support."
He added that the government can also exercise greater authority if a health emergency is declared.
Speaking to The Financial Express, Director of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital Prof Dr Mahbubul Haque said infections have increased but expressed hope that the situation would improve once vaccination gains momentum.
He cautioned about post-infection complications.
"Many children develop pneumonia after measles infection, which can worsen their condition," he said, advising early hospital admission before the illness becomes severe.
Although this is typically the season for measles in Bangladesh, the situation has worsened this year mainly due to low vaccination coverage, he said.
"Vaccination coverage should be above 90 per cent, but it has remained below that level in recent years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, measles vaccine coverage was also poor, contributing to the sudden worsening of the situation," he explained, without commenting on whether it has officially become an epidemic.
He also noted that the global measles situation has worsened this year.
The government, however, maintains that the situation remains under control and has not declared any emergency.
The DGHS director general could not be reached for comment over the phone.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Monday told Parliament that mismanagement in vaccination campaigns during the Sheikh Hasina regime and the interim government period was a key factor behind the outbreak.
The government has launched a special vaccination campaign from Sunday across 30 upazilas in 18 districts to vaccinate 1.2 million children.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the campaign for children aged six to 59 months, prioritising measles-rubella vaccination.
The campaign will be carried out in 30 upazilas after identifying high-risk areas based on advice from national and international experts.

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