Dhaka, May 27 (IANS) As an escalating measles outbreak continues to unfold in Bangladesh, five more children died from the symptoms of the disease on Wednesday, raising the total death toll to 560 since March 15 this year, local media reported.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning.

Among the suspected fatalities, the highest number — two deaths – were recorded in the Dhaka division, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported.

Reports suggest that the number of confirmed deaths surged to 88, while suspected deaths reached 472.

The DGHS recorded a total of 1,056 suspected measles cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall tally of suspected cases to 67,079.

Additionally, 62 new confirmed cases were reported, increasing the total to 8,494 during the same period.

Amid the worsening health crisis in Bangladesh, the measles cases and deaths continue to rise across the country despite the conclusion of the preliminary phase for the one-and-a-half-month special measles-rubella vaccination drive on May 20, Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported.

The data from DGHS showed that daily cases exceeded 1,000 per day throughout this month with exceptions only on May 9, 16 and 23.

Public health experts and physicians warned that mass gatherings, long-distance travel and family visits during Eid holidays could further accelerate the spread of the measles.

They advised families with young children to avoid unnecessary gatherings, restrict movement and adhere to the preventive measures, cautioning that hot season may intensify the transmission risks.

Experts noted that the lack of adequate treatment facilities in remote areas remains a serious concern, especially for children who may fall sick while travelling.

“In this situation, it is best for people to stay where they are. Unnecessary movement should be limited as much as possible,” Bangladesh’s leading daily, Dhaka Tribune, quoted the Director of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, FA Asma Khanom, as saying.

Addressing a programme at the Secretariat in Dhaka last week, Bangladesh’s Health Minister Sakhawat Husain warned that unrestricted Eid travel and crowded public transport could fuel transmission of measles.

Stressing the contagious nature of measles, Husain urged families not to expose infected or recently recovered children to crowded public spaces or relatives’ homes.

He added that while vaccination significantly reduces the risk, it does not provide 100 per cent protection, noting that social distancing and public awareness remain key preventive measures.

–IANS

scor/as