The measles outbreak in Sylhet shows no sign of easing. Instead, the number of infections and deaths continues to rise every day. Over the past 24 hours, three more people have died after being affected by a measles-like illness, while 91 new suspected patients have been admitted to hospitals.
With the latest figures, the number of laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Sylhet Division this year has risen to 827. Including both suspected and confirmed measles cases, the death toll has reached 125.
The figures were disclosed in a measles and rubella surveillance report released by the Office of the Divisional Director of Health, Sylhet, on Sunday (August 9).
According to the report, 18 more people tested positive for measles in the past 24 hours. Since January 1, a total of 271 measles cases have been confirmed in Sylhet district, 103 in Habiganj, 102 in Moulvibazar and 351 in Sunamganj. Two of the confirmed cases in Habiganj were diagnosed with rubella.
Hospitals across the division are facing increasing pressure from the outbreak. In the past 24 hours, 91 suspected measles patients were admitted to different hospitals. Of them, 25 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 51 to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, five to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and seven to Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital.
At present, 271 suspected measles patients are receiving treatment at hospitals across the division. Of them, 121 are being treated at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital and 62 at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. In addition, 11 patients are at Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, six at North East Hospital, five at Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, two at Beanibazar Upazila Health Complex, 41 at Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, two at Habiganj District Sadar Hospital and 21 at Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
The most concerning aspect of the health department's report is the number of deaths. Three more people died from suspected measles in the past 24 hours. The deceased were three-year-old Mohammad Ehsan of Habiganj, 18-year-old Shyamla Rani Das of Habiganj and eight-month-old Ayan of Companyganj in Sylhet. They had been undergoing treatment at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Habiganj 250-Bed District Sadar Hospital and Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, respectively.
The district-wise death figures are also alarming. So far, 40 people have died of suspected measles in Sylhet, 16 in Habiganj, 12 in Moulvibazar and 51 in Sunamganj. In addition, six people have died from laboratory-confirmed measles, including four in Sylhet and one in Moulvibazar. Overall, the number of deaths among suspected and confirmed measles patients in Sylhet Division stands at 125.
Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of confirmed measles cases among the four districts. From January 1 to August 9 this year, 351 cases have been confirmed in the district. During the same period, 51 people died of suspected measles and one of confirmed measles, bringing the total number of measles-related deaths in Sunamganj to 52.
In Sylhet, 271 measles cases have been confirmed so far, with 44 measles-related deaths. Habiganj has recorded 103 confirmed cases and 16 deaths, while Moulvibazar has reported 102 confirmed cases and 13 deaths.
Health department statistics show that while new cases continue to be detected, large numbers of suspected patients are being admitted to hospitals every day. The steady rise in deaths has further heightened concerns.
As a result, the measles situation in Sylhet Division is becoming increasingly alarming—not only because of the growing number of infections but also because of the mounting pressure on hospitals and the continuing loss of lives.
