Rising Measles Infections: 105 Children Admitted in 11 Days, Three Deaths

A sharp rise in measles infections among children has placed significant pressure on healthcare services at the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where overcrowding and resource constraints are increasingly evident. Over the past 11 days alone, 105 children have been admitted with measles, and three fatalities have been recorded, underscoring growing concerns among public health officials.

The surge began in mid-March and has since intensified, with patients arriving not only from Mymensingh district but also from neighbouring regions including Sherpur, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Tangail, Kurigram, Kishoreganj, and parts of Gazipur. In response, hospital authorities established three dedicated medical teams on 24 March and set up specialised “measles corners” within the paediatric wards. Each of these units was designed to accommodate 10 patients; however, the influx has far exceeded capacity.

Overcrowding and Capacity Challenges

Conditions inside the paediatric wards illustrate the severity of the crisis. In Ward 30 alone, 46 children were receiving treatment as of Saturday afternoon, while an additional 23 patients were admitted across two units in Ward 31. Despite a combined official capacity of just 60 beds, the wards routinely host between 300 and 400 patients, forcing doctors and nurses to improvise.

In many cases, two children are being treated on a single bed, and others are placed on floors or in corridors. Isolation protocols—critical for containing such a highly contagious disease—are difficult to maintain under these circumstances.

Key Figures at a Glance

Stories Behind the Numbers

Parents describe distressing experiences. One mother reported that her infant daughter had suffered from persistent fever since before Eid, but incomplete vaccination left her vulnerable. Another father, whose child had recently recovered from pneumonia, was shocked when measles symptoms appeared shortly after discharge. Several families admitted missing scheduled vaccinations, often due to travel or illness, highlighting gaps in immunisation coverage.

Medical Perspective

Doctors emphasise that measles is an अत्यন্ত contagious viral disease, transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact. Complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and inflammation of the eyes and brain are common among hospitalised children, significantly increasing the risk of mortality.

According to clinicians, both vaccinated and unvaccinated children are among those infected, although incomplete immunisation appears to be a key contributing factor. While no cases have yet required intensive care, the inability to fully isolate patients remains a serious concern.

Hospital authorities suggest that disruptions to routine immunisation programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with subsequent social unrest, may have contributed to declining vaccination rates. Experts from the World Health Organization have been visiting the facility and collecting samples, though the precise cause of the sudden spike is still under investigation.

Measures and Outlook

To ease pressure on the central hospital, three dedicated beds for measles patients have been arranged in each of the district’s 13 উপজেলা স্বাস্থ্য কমপ্লেক্স (sub-district health complexes). Additionally, instructions have been issued to launch specialised fever clinics for children in outpatient departments.

Health officials stress that timely vaccination remains the most effective defence against measles. They also urge strict adherence to infection prevention measures, including isolating affected individuals and maintaining hygiene practices.

As the outbreak continues, authorities warn that without swift improvements in vaccination coverage and containment efforts, healthcare facilities may face even greater strain in the coming weeks.