Bangladesh measles outbreak kills over 1,200 children

Bangladesh's measles outbreak has killed more than 1,200 children and infected 220,000 people, according to the Directorate General of Health Services, as experts warn that other deadly outbreaks could follow.

An independent committee of national and international experts said the measles epidemic was “a warning sign of a deteriorating immunization system” in a report seen Monday.

“If no urgent mitigation measures are taken, it is only a matter of time before there are large outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria and even vaccine-derived poliovirus,” the report said. The report has been submitted to the government.

Bangladesh has struggled since March to contain what the Directorate General of Health Services describes as the country's deadliest measles outbreak in decades.

Health ministry spokesman Zahid Raihan said Monday that the government would recruit vaccinators as quickly as possible as a first step toward implementing the recommendations.

The government, with support from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Gavi vaccine alliance and other partners, deployed a 70-member team earlier this month to assess the country's immunisation programme. The review found that 82 percent of children were fully immunised, below the national target of 95 percent, and that around 40 percent of vaccinator posts remain vacant.

A measles vaccination campaign planned for 2024 was delayed by the revolution that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, while strikes and political instability further disrupted a campaign in 2025. Authorities have since launched a mass vaccination drive, but cases continue to climb.