Bangladesh Measles Outbreak: 100 Children Dead, Emergency Vaccinations Launched

Bangladesh launched an emergency vaccination campaign on April 5, 2026, to combat a fast-spreading measles outbreak that has caused a significant spike in fatalities among children. According to health data, the outbreak is suspected of killing at least 130 children over the previous six weeks, with reports indicating 113 suspected and 17 confirmed fatalities.

The public health crisis has seen a rapid escalation since March 15, 2026. Health ministry data reveals that more than 7,500 suspected measles cases have been reported nationwide since that date, with some reports citing the number as over 7,600. More than 900 of these cases have been confirmed.

This current wave represents a sharp increase in disease activity compared to the previous year. In 2025, local media reports indicate that only 125 measles cases were recorded across the entire country.

Emergency Vaccination Strategy

The nationwide response, coordinated as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), aims to immunize more than 1.3 million children. The campaign specifically targets children between the ages of six months and under five years.

The initiative is focused on high-risk areas to stem the spread of the virus. The campaign details include:

• Coverage of 30 upazilas across 18 high-risk districts.
• Deployment of healthcare workers in Northern Bangladesh, which has been identified as the region most affected by the outbreak.
• Targeting of vulnerable populations in densely populated and underserved areas where healthcare access is limited.

Gaps in Routine Immunization

While Bangladesh maintains a routine vaccination program for children, the current outbreak has exposed critical gaps. Routine measles vaccines are typically administered to children as young as nine months old. However, current infection data shows a concerning trend regarding the age of the victims.

Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department, informed BBC Bangla that approximately one-third of those infected in the recent outbreak were under nine months old. These infants are not yet eligible for the routine vaccination schedule, leaving them unprotected against the highly contagious virus.

Vaccines are foundational to child survival

Rana Flowers, Unicef representative in Bangladesh

Rana Flowers of Unicef further noted that the outbreak is putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk.

Public Health Impact and Context

The speed of the outbreak has strained local medical facilities, with hundreds of new patients being admitted to hospitals daily. Public health experts have warned that measles can spread rapidly in communities with low immunization coverage, particularly among young children.

Bangladesh typically conducts special measles vaccination campaigns every four years to supplement routine efforts, but reports indicate that these campaigns have not proceeded according to plan, contributing to the current vulnerability.

Dr. ANM Nuruzzaman, a public health specialist, has emphasized that the emergency drive is critical for preventing further loss of life. He noted that the campaign is especially important in underserved areas where limited healthcare access increases the risk for children.