Measles, measles-like symptoms claim six more young lives

Measles and measles-like symptoms claimed six more children's lives in the past 24 hours as of 8:00am on Tuesday, pushing the death toll to 317 since mid-March.
Of the latest fatalities, two were laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Since the outbreak began, 54 of the 317 deaths have been confirmed as measles-positive, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country recorded 1,445 new infections during the reporting period, raising the total number of suspected cases to 42,979 and confirmed cases to 5,726, said a DGHS bulletin.
Hospital data shows 29,831 patients have been admitted so far, and 26,368 of them were discharged after recovery.
In response to the rapidly spreading outbreak, the government has vaccinated 89 per cent of targeted children under an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign.
The authorities are expecting to reach full coverage within the next few days, with strong field-level work and proper logistical support, Prime Minister's Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said at his weekly briefing on Tuesday.
He said a total of 16.1 million children aged between six months and five years have already received the vaccine, which is a major progress in the nationwide immunisation programme.
He further said some 2.2 million mixing syringes recently arrived in the country with help from global partners, ensuring smooth vaccination.
Apart from vaccination, the health sector is taking necessary preparations to face the possible dengue outbreaks before the rainy season, the adviser said.
Regarding the tuberculosis control, he said Bangladesh has received diagnostic kits and medicines for children through international support.
In the energy sector, he said, the power supply remains stable, with no load-shedding reported in recent days.
The fuel pass system is being expanded, with more than 300,000 users already getting registered, he said, adding that there are plans to make the app mandatory for all filling stations in the capital.
He mentioned that farmers in haor areas, who lost their crops due to flash floods, would get Tk 7,500 per month for the next three months.
Harvesting of Boro crops is progressing well, with over 71 per cent of the crop already harvested, he told the press briefing.
In the transport sector, the government is working to organise bus routes in the capital and it has plans to introduce electric buses in phases.
Electronic toll collection has already started on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, he mentioned, adding that steps are being taken to manage street vendors through digital identity cards and improve overall urban management.
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