Measles and pneumonia claim three more lives in Sylhet

Three more people, including two children and a young woman, have died while being treated with measles symptoms and pneumonia in Sylhet, raising the total number of suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths in the division to 125.

The deaths were reported over the past 24 hours at three hospitals. Two children died while receiving intensive care at the Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, while an 18-year-old woman died at the 250-bed Habiganj District Sadar Hospital.

The latest fatalities come amid a continuing rise in measles cases across Sylhet division. During the same 24-hour period, 91 people with suspected measles were admitted to hospitals, while 18 new confirmed cases were identified. The number of patients currently receiving treatment for suspected measles at hospitals across the division stands at 271.

The deceased have been identified as eight-month-old Ayan Ahmed, son of Murshed Alam of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet; three-year-four-month-old Mohammad Ehsanul, son of Abdul Awal of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj; and Barna Rani Das, wife of Nepal Pal of Baniachong upazila in Habiganj.

Ayan Ahmed died at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, while Mohammad Ehsanul died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Barna Rani Das died at Habiganj 250-bed District Sadar Hospital.

Dr Mahbubul Alam, director of the Sylhet divisional office of the Directorate General of Health Services, confirmed the deaths and the latest hospitalisation figures.

Health authorities said that 91 patients suspected of having measles were admitted to hospitals across the division during the past 24 hours. Of them, 25 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 51 to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to Golapganj Upazila Health Complex, five to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and seven to Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital.

At present, 271 patients suspected of having measles are undergoing treatment at hospitals in the four districts. Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital is treating 121 patients, while 62 are at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital has 11 patients, North East Hospital six, Golapganj Upazila Health Complex five and Beanibazar Upazila Health Complex two.

In the other districts, 41 suspected measles patients are being treated at Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, two at Habiganj District Sadar Hospital and 21 at Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital.

The outbreak has also produced a substantial number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the year. According to divisional health authorities, 827 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in Sylhet division since 1 January. Of these, 271 are in Sylhet district, 103 in Habiganj, 102 in Moulvibazar and 351 in Sunamganj. Two of the cases recorded in Habiganj were identified as rubella.

The concentration of cases in Sunamganj is particularly notable, with the district accounting for the largest share of confirmed infections in the division. At the same time, the continued admission of suspected patients indicates that the pressure on hospitals remains considerable.

Dr Mahbubul Alam said the latest deaths involved two children and a woman who had developed measles symptoms and pneumonia. He said 91 new patients had been admitted with suspected measles symptoms during the previous 24 hours.

According to the divisional health authorities, the cumulative death toll now includes 123 children, one woman and one nurse, taking the total number of deaths associated with suspected and confirmed measles to 125.

The continuing admission of patients, alongside new confirmed infections and deaths, highlights the seriousness of the situation for the division’s health services. Children remain particularly vulnerable, as reflected in the overwhelming proportion of deaths recorded so far.