Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign after a fast-spreading measles outbreak is suspected of killing more than 100 people, mostly children, in what may be the country's most lethal wave of the disease in recent history.
The campaign, which began on Sunday, comes amid more than 7,500 suspected measles cases since 15 March, according to health ministry data.
More than 900 of these cases have been confirmed—a sharp increase from 2025, when just 125 measles cases were recorded over the entire year, local media report.
While Bangladesh has long vaccinated children against the highly contagious disease, the recent outbreak has exposed gaps in its program, raising concern.
Vaccines are foundational to child survival, stated Rana Flowers, the UNICEF representative in Bangladesh, adding that the current measles outbreak was putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk..
Why is there a spike in measles in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million people, routine measles vaccines are given to children as young as nine months old. However, Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department, noted that about one-third of those infected in the recent outbreak were under nine months old. Infections among these young infants who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination are particularly alarming, according to Flowers from UNICEF.
Despite conducting special over four-year intervals, the last campaign was disrupted due to Covid and political instability, causing a significant decline in vaccination efforts. Political upheaval in 2024 resulted in no special vaccination campaigns, and procurement issues have led to a shortage of vaccines.
Bangladesh experienced political upheaval in 2024, when massive anti-government protests led to the ousting of leader Sheikh Hasina. An interim government took over, and only recently has a new government been elected.
What is Bangladesh doing about it?
Along with international partners like UNICEF and the WHO, Bangladesh has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign targeting measles and rubella, aiming to protect over 1.2 million children in vulnerable populations. The campaign will prioritize children missing routine immunization and will focus heavily on Dhaka and Cox's Bazar, home to densely populated refugee camps.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can lead to severe complications and death. Common symptoms include high fever, red watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing. In 2024, measles resulted in approximately 95,000 deaths globally, with vaccination being a critical factor in prevention at a 95% coverage rate.
Are measles cases rising around the world?
While global measles cases have declined over the past two decades, there has been a resurgence in various parts of the world. The WHO has warned of the highest number of measles outbreaks in over 20 years, attributed to declining vaccination rates stemming from various factors, including misinformation post-pandemic.
