Sylhet, Bangladesh, Aug. 3: The measles outbreak in Sylhet Division remains at an alarming level, with 28 new confirmed cases reported over the past 24 hours. During the same period, two more children died after being suspected of having measles.
The latest fatalities bring the total number of confirmed measles cases in the division to 706 since the beginning of the year, while the overall death toll has risen to 116.
The figures were published on Monday (August 3) in the Measles and Rubella Situation Report released by the Divisional Health Director's Office.
According to the report, a total of 706 measles cases were confirmed between January 1 and August 3. Of them, 235 cases were recorded in Sylhet district, 67 in Habiganj, 61 in Moulvibazar, and the highest number—343—in Sunamganj. Two of the patients in Habiganj were also diagnosed with rubella.
Health authorities said that 93 new suspected measles patients were admitted to hospitals across the division over the past 24 hours. The patients were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, North East Medical College Hospital, and Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
Currently, 254 suspected measles patients are receiving treatment at hospitals across the division. Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital has the highest number of admitted patients, while significant numbers are also being treated at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, North East Medical College Hospital, Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, Habiganj District Sadar Hospital, and Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
The report said the two children who died in the last 24 hours were residents of Sunamganj district and had been undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
District-wise data show that a total of 116 people have died from suspected and confirmed measles cases in Sylhet Division so far this year. Sunamganj recorded the highest number of deaths with 51, followed by Sylhet with 40, Moulvibazar with 13, and Habiganj with 12. Six of the deaths were among laboratory-confirmed measles patients.
Health officials have urged parents to ensure children receive measles vaccinations on schedule, seek prompt medical care for infected patients, and visit hospitals immediately if symptoms appear. Surveillance and treatment efforts are continuing across the division to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.
