Measles, Pneumonia Claim 108 Children in Sylhet

A total of 108 children have died after contracting measles or developing pneumonia-related complications in Bangladesh’s Sylhet Division during the first seven months of the year, according to the regional health authorities. While no new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, officials say hundreds of suspected patients remain under treatment, underscoring the continued public health challenge.

Dr Mahbubul Alam, Director of the Health Directorate for Sylhet Division, confirmed the latest figures on Saturday morning. The data, compiled by the divisional health office, covers the period from 1 January to 25 July.

According to the latest surveillance report, laboratory testing has confirmed 591 cases of measles across the division since the beginning of the year. Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of confirmed infections, with 307 cases, followed by Sylhet district with 196. Habiganj has reported 61 confirmed cases, including two patients diagnosed with rubella, while Moulvibazar has recorded 27 confirmed measles cases.

Although no additional laboratory-confirmed measles cases were identified during the past 24 hours, hospitals admitted 47 children with symptoms consistent with suspected measles. Of these, 27 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 15 to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital and two to Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital. Health officials described the absence of any new fatalities over the past day as an encouraging development, despite the continued influx of suspected cases.

The latest hospital data indicates that 229 patients with suspected measles are currently receiving treatment across government and private healthcare facilities in the division. Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital is treating 79 patients, while Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital has 72 patients under care. Another 30 patients are being treated at Sunamganj District Sadar Hospital, with the remaining children receiving treatment at various upazila health complexes and private hospitals.

An analysis of the divisional report shows that, of the 108 child deaths recorded so far this year, four were directly attributed to laboratory-confirmed measles. The remaining 104 children died after experiencing measles symptoms alongside severe pneumonia-related complications, highlighting the serious health risks that can arise when the viral infection is accompanied by respiratory illness.

District-wise, Sunamganj has reported the highest death toll, with 48 children losing their lives. Sylhet district follows with 36 deaths, while Moulvibazar has recorded 13 and Habiganj 11.

Dr Alam said health authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain surveillance across hospitals in the division. He confirmed that 47 new patients with suspected measles symptoms had been admitted over the previous 24 hours and that 229 suspected cases remain hospitalised. The health department is continuing its response efforts as medical teams monitor patients and seek to limit further transmission of the disease.