Bangladesh Launches Emergency Measles-Rubella Campaign Amid Fatal Outbreak

Bangladesh has initiated an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign following a significant measles outbreak that has resulted in over 100 suspected child deaths and more than 900 confirmed cases since March. The government, in collaboration with international health organizations, is targeting children aged six months to five years in high-risk districts, with plans for nationwide expansion.

Current Outbreak: Over 100 Child Deaths Suspected

Over 100 suspected measles deaths among children have been reported within the past month. Official data indicates more than 900 confirmed measles cases among approximately 7,500 suspected cases reported since March 15 across the nation of more than 170 million people.

"The number of affected children and the death toll are higher compared to previous years," stated Halimur Rashid, Director at Communicable Disease Control.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 25,934 suspected cases in Bangladesh in 2005, with numbers decreasing significantly until the current increase. Many of those infected are infants under nine months of age, a group not typically eligible for routine measles vaccination.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease transmitted through coughs or sneezes. It can lead to severe or fatal complications, particularly in young children, and there is no specific treatment. The WHO states that 95% vaccination coverage is necessary to prevent its spread.

Emergency Response Underway

An emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign was launched on Sunday, targeting children aged six months to five years. The initiative began in 18 high-risk districts, including 30 identified severely affected areas in the capital, Dhaka, with nationwide expansion planned for the coming month.

The government is collaborating with the WHO, the U.N. children’s agency (UNICEF), and the Gavi vaccine alliance for the campaign.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed two senior ministers to evaluate the crisis nationwide to coordinate a response.

"Multifactorial Causes" Cited for Outbreak

Officials and public health experts have identified "multifactorial causes," including vaccine shortages and inadequate vaccination programs, as contributing to the outbreak.

Health Minister Sardar Mohammed Sakhawat Husain stated that the current outbreak resulted from mismanagement and failures of past governments, specifically mentioning the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

These administrations were cited for inadequate decision-making regarding vaccine stockpiles, which led to shortages affecting vaccines for measles and six other diseases.

Political transitions in 2024, including a mass uprising and change of government, reportedly disrupted vaccine procurement and routine measles vaccination campaigns. The current elected government assumed power in February.

Mahmudur Rahman, chief of the National Verification Committee of Measles and Rubella, acknowledged that the target to eliminate measles by December 2025 was missed due to inadequate vaccination programs. Tajul Islam A Bari, a public health expert, commented that despite funds being allocated for vaccine purchases, authorities failed to procure them. UNICEF has noted critical immunity gaps, particularly among unvaccinated or undervaccinated children, and the infection rates among infants under nine months.

Public Health Advice

Authorities are advising parents to take children suspected of having measles or high fevers promptly to hospitals. F. A. Asma Khan, deputy director of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka, cautioned against relying on medicines from local shops.

She stressed immediate hospital visits for proper medical treatment, especially for fevers above 101-102°F (38.3°C).

Historical Immunization Context

Since launching a mass immunization campaign in 1979, Bangladesh has increased its coverage of fully immunized children from 2% to 81.6%. However, UNICEF noted last year that despite these advancements, substantial disparities in immunization coverage persist across the country. Experts continue to highlight disparities in measles vaccine coverage in different regions.