The measles outbreak in Bangladesh's Sylhet division shows no sign of slowing, with two more children dying over the past 24 hours and 74 new suspected cases requiring hospitalization. A total of 304 suspected measles patients are currently receiving treatment at government and private hospitals across the division.
According to the latest figures released by the Directorate of Health's Sylhet Divisional Office on Thursday (August 6), a total of 120 people have died from confirmed or suspected measles in the division since the beginning of 2026.
The latest Measles and Rubella Situation Report states that between January 1 and August 6, laboratory tests confirmed 774 measles cases across Sylhet division. Of these, 256 were reported in Sylhet district, 351 in Sunamganj, 85 in Habiganj—including two rubella cases—and 82 in Moulvibazar.
Health officials said 74 new suspected measles patients were admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours. Among them, 31 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 30 to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, and 10 to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
Of the 304 patients currently hospitalized, the highest number—141—are being treated at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital. Another 69 patients are receiving treatment at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, 15 at Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, nine at North East Medical College Hospital, four at Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, three at Beanibazar Upazila Health Complex, 36 at Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, two at Habiganj District Sadar Hospital, and 25 at Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
The two children who died during the past 24 hours were identified as four-month-old Abu Bakkar from Rowagaon in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district and seven-month-old Taifa from Golgaon village in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj district. Abu Bakkar died while undergoing treatment at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, while Taifa died at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
According to health authorities, 114 people have died from suspected measles and six from laboratory-confirmed measles in Sylhet division so far this year, bringing the total death toll to 120.
District-wise data show that Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of deaths, with 52 fatalities. Sylhet district follows with 44 deaths, while Habiganj and Moulvibazar have each reported 13 deaths.
Public health experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of timely vaccination, early detection, and prompt hospitalization of infected children to contain the outbreak. However, the latest situation report does not provide detailed information on the causes of death, patients' vaccination histories, or the factors driving the surge in infections, leaving health authorities under increasing pressure to investigate the reasons behind the high mortality rate.
