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Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Kills 512 Children, ICU Shortage

5/24/2026

Summary

Bangladesh Health Crisis

Bangladesh health authorities have recorded 512 child deaths from measles since March 15, including 13 in the last 24 hours, and have logged over 62,000 suspected and 8,494 confirmed cases through May 23.
Dhaka hospitals have opened measles wards lacking sufficient ICU beds for critical patients.
UNICEF reports that about 18 million children have been vaccinated in the emergency drive.
Officials attribute the outbreak to immunisation gaps caused by the 2024 student-led uprising.

Summary

Bangladesh Ministry Vaccinates

Ministry has vaccinated 18.43 million children, exceeding the 18 million target set with UNICEF, WHO and partners.
Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership brief warned that vaccination gaps could worsen antimicrobial resistance in Bangladesh.
UNICEF Dhaka office said vaccine shortages, child and maternal malnutrition, low exclusive breastfeeding and testing-kit shortages fueled the outbreak.
WHO warned that declining routine immunisation after the 2024-2025 shortage raised epidemic risk, prompting partners to coordinate surveillance and rapid-response teams.

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Bangladesh Health Crisis

Bangladesh health authorities have recorded 512 child deaths from measles since March 15, including 13 in the last 24 hours, and have logged over 62,000 suspected and 8,494 confirmed cases through May 23.
Dhaka hospitals have opened measles wards lacking sufficient ICU beds for critical patients.
UNICEF reports that about 18 million children have been vaccinated in the emergency drive.
Officials attribute the outbreak to immunisation gaps caused by the 2024 student-led uprising.

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