Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh Continues to Worsen
Back in May, there was a report detailing the alarming spread of measles across Bangladesh, which, at the time, had taken the lives of over 500 children. Fast forward to now, and despite initial hopes for control, the situation remains dire. The reporter who covered the story has shared insights on what has transpired since then.
Initially, there was genuine optimism about managing the outbreak effectively. Health authorities thought that once the nationwide vaccination campaign kicked off on April 20, things would improve dramatically. The aim was to vaccinate around 18 million children between 6 months to 5 years old, even those whose records indicated prior vaccinations. Remarkably, they surpassed that goal, achieving 18.4 million vaccinations.
However, five months later, the outbreak is still very much alive. In August, the CDC reported that Bangladesh logged more measles cases than any other country during the first half of the year, documenting a staggering 57,561 cases. Just on August 31 alone, health officials counted 1,162 suspected cases with 94 confirmed within a day.
By September 9, the number of children who have died since March 15 due to suspected or confirmed measles surpassed 1,000, according to the Directorate General of Health Services in Bangladesh. So, why is the virus still spreading?
It seems that 18 million vaccinations simply weren’t enough to cover all the unvaccinated children. Experts now estimate that the actual number needing immunization is closer to 22.6 million. This gap in immunization leaves a considerable opening for the highly contagious virus to circulate.
“In reality, many children are still unvaccinated, which means we can’t relax just yet,” said Tajul Abdul Bari, a vaccine expert. He suggested launching a new campaign to cover kids up to ten years old, recalling that a similar effort was made in 2014.
Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim from Médecins Sans Frontières emphasized that managing a measles outbreak hinges primarily on vaccination. “It’s vital—vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,” he stated, noting the virus’s ability to spread quickly, often affecting many people from just one case.
Dr. Jahangir Alam from the WHO pointed out that even minor lapses in vaccination can lead to outbreaks, stating, “Every unvaccinated child poses a risk.” Unfortunately, UNICEF reports that a significant portion, around 72%, of measles cases are among those who have not received any doses of the vaccine, while 16% are partially vaccinated.
The toll is further exacerbated by widespread malnutrition in the country, which increases the severity of measles infections. Children who are underweight or have multiple health issues often face worse outcomes, as stated by Colonel Latifa Rahman from a major hospital in Dhaka dedicated to treating measles patients. In fact, malnutrition can also weaken the immunity gained from vaccinations.
Next Steps
On August 18, the Bangladeshi authorities announced plans to vaccinate another 1.6 million children against measles. Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, a former health services official, noted that in various areas, children aged 6 months to 5 years have missed out on vaccinations. “We’ll distribute the 1.6 million doses we currently have, and aim to secure another 2.5 million doses for the future,” he added.
The once hopeful outlook for quickly controlling the outbreak has been dampened by the ongoing reality in Bangladesh. State Minister for Health Dr. M.A. Muhit highlighted the challenges, indicating that even doubling the vaccination rate wouldn’t suffice for two to three months to fully manage the outbreak.
The Family Impact
As the outbreak drags on, countless families are suffering financial hardships. A study in May and June revealed that nearly 90% of affected families have taken loans for medical treatment, while 60% have depleted their savings. This assessment focused on almost 2,746 households receiving treatment across various government hospitals.
Sonakshi Dey from the IFRC noted that the economic burden persists even after recovery, stating, “Caregivers often lose income due to time spent caring for sick children or commuting to healthcare facilities. For families reliant on daily wages, any missed work can spell disaster for their overall wellbeing.” Families who have lost children carry the heaviest burden. Toriqul Islam, who lost his 10-month-old son to measles, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “When fate turns against you, this is what happens. I don’t think there is a bigger pain to endure in this world. I just wish for no more deaths.”
