The measles outbreak in Sylhet is becoming increasingly concerning, with new cases being detected every day and large numbers of suspected patients being admitted to hospitals.
As hospitals struggle to cope with the growing number of patients under treatment, four new measles cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours. During the same period, 138 people were admitted to hospitals as suspected measles patients.
The information was revealed in a report issued by the Office of the Sylhet Divisional Director of Health on August 17. According to health department data, a total of 979 confirmed measles cases have been reported across the Sylhet division since January 1 this year. Of these, 311 cases were reported in Sylhet, 153 in Habiganj, 158 in Moulvibazar and 357 in Sunamganj. Two of the cases in Habiganj were identified as rubella patients.
Of the 138 newly admitted suspected patients, 56 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 63 to Osmani Medical College Hospital, one to North East Hospital, six to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and 12 to Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital.
Currently, 328 suspected measles patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the Sylhet division. Among them, 142 are being treated at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital and 116 at Osmani Medical College Hospital. In addition, 15 patients are at Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital, one at Mount Adora Hospital, five at North East Hospital, one at Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, 33 at Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, three at Habiganj District Sadar Hospital and 12 at Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.
The admission of 138 new suspected patients in a single day, along with 328 patients currently receiving treatment, highlights the mounting pressure on hospitals. The situation is particularly critical at Sylhet's two major hospitals—Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital and Osmani Medical College Hospital—where a combined 258 suspected measles patients are currently being treated.
No new deaths from suspected measles were reported in the past 24 hours. However, since the beginning of the year, a total of 136 people in the Sylhet division have died from suspected and confirmed measles. Of them, 130 died from suspected measles and six from confirmed measles.
Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of deaths among the four districts, with 55 fatalities—54 from suspected measles and one from confirmed measles. Sylhet has reported 51 deaths, including 47 from suspected measles and four from confirmed cases. The health department reported 17 deaths in Habiganj and 13 in Moulvibazar.
The latest health department report shows that both the number of new infections and hospital admissions continue to rise. While the number of confirmed cases is increasing, the admission of a large number of suspected patients is placing additional pressure on the healthcare system.
To bring the measles situation under control in Sylhet, it has become increasingly important to ensure adequate hospital beds, doctors, nurses and necessary medical facilities, while also strengthening effective measures to prevent further transmission. Although no new deaths were reported in the latest 24-hour period, the rising number of infections and hospitalized patients underscores the seriousness of the situation.
