Severe Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is currently facing its most serious measles outbreak in years, with over 100 children reported dead as a result of rising cases among unvaccinated infants.
In response, the government, working alongside the United Nations, has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting measles and rubella for children across the nation. This initiative comes after more than 900 cases were documented since March.
Measles is notoriously contagious, spreading through the air and causing symptoms like fever, respiratory issues, and a distinct rash. Complications can be severe or even deadly, especially for younger children.
Despite significant strides in mass immunization against measles, there has been a worrisome resurgence of cases, largely due to declining vaccination rates. In fact, over 11 million global cases were noted just last year. In the UK, a recent outbreak resulted in two fatalities, while the United States experienced its highest number of cases in three decades, with more than 2,000 reported in 2025.
In Bangladesh, the recent spike in cases has been the worst the country has seen for years. While the nation does have a child immunization program, the newly elected government pointed to prior management mistakes that left vulnerable areas without proper coverage and a lack of vaccine stock. To effectively stop the spread, about 95% of the population needs vaccination, according to the UN.
This month’s emergency campaign will prioritize children aged six months to five years in high-risk districts, and the initiative will later expand across the country.
Alarmingly, one-third of those affected in this outbreak are under nine months old, which is typically when the measles vaccine is administered. Experts see this as a troubling indication of gaps in the vaccination program.
“This resurgence underscores critical immunity gaps, particularly among zero-dose and under-vaccinated children,” noted Rana Flowers, UNICEF’s representative in Bangladesh. “The rise in infections among infants under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine vaccinations, is particularly concerning.”
The newly appointed health minister, Sardar Mohammed Sakhawat Husain, expressed in parliament that the political instability in Bangladesh over the past two years—following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—has hampered vaccine procurement and disrupted routine measles vaccination campaigns. The current government only assumed power in February elections.
Authorities are urging parents to seek medical attention at hospitals if measles is suspected or if their child has a high fever, instead of depending on local pharmacies.
Since the start of a major vaccination program in 1979, Bangladesh has improved the rate of fully immunized children from a mere 2% to 81.6%. However, experts caution that significant gaps still exist in measles vaccination among the population of 170 million.
UNICEF commented that the ongoing measles surge is tied to multiple factors, stating, “While Bangladesh has a robust history of high immunization rates, even minor disruptions can lead to accumulating immunity gaps over time.”
