Measles outbreak: Death toll reaches 999

As many as 999 children have so far died from confirmed and suspected measles cases in Bangladesh, with no let-up in the country’s deadliest measles outbreak in decades as fatalities and infections continue to soar.

Among the deaths, 100 were from confirmed measles, while 899 deaths were reported among suspected cases, the health authorities said on Tuesday.

Bangladesh recorded two more deaths with measles-like symptoms and 1,157 suspected cases between 8am Monday and 8am Tuesday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) bulletin.

However, 79 cases of measles were confirmed during the same period, with no confirmed deaths reported.

The DGHS said that since 15 March, the total number of confirmed measles cases has stood at 19,835, while suspected cases have reached 166,461.

Besides, a total of 140,850 patients have recovered so far, the DGHS added.