More than 500 children killed in measles outbreak in Bangladesh

May 23, 2026 - 19:06

A severe measles outbreak in Bangladesh has claimed the lives of over 500 children, with health officials reporting that the majority of cases are occurring in the youngest age groups. Doctors on the ground have recorded most infections among children between six months and five years old, a demographic particularly vulnerable to the highly contagious virus.

The surge in cases has overwhelmed local hospitals, especially in rural areas where vaccination rates have dropped significantly in recent years. Medical staff report that many of the children arriving for treatment are severely malnourished, which drastically increases the risk of death from complications like pneumonia and severe diarrhea.

Public health experts attribute the outbreak to a disruption in routine immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and diverted resources led to millions of children missing their scheduled measles shots. As a result, the virus has found a large pool of unprotected hosts.

The government has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting high-risk districts, but reaching remote communities remains a challenge. Aid organizations are rushing in supplies of vitamin A and antibiotics to treat secondary infections. Without a rapid and widespread response, officials fear the death toll will continue to climb. The outbreak serves as a grim reminder of how fragile child health gains can be when basic immunization falters.