Overview
- The Directorate General of Health Services reported on Tuesday that about 545 children have died since mid‑March and roughly 64,940 suspected cases have been logged, with 8,719 infections confirmed.
- Hospitals, especially in Dhaka, are overwhelmed with critically ill children facing pneumonia and respiratory distress and clinics report shortages of beds, oxygen and paediatric critical care.
- The government launched an emergency measles vaccination drive on April 5 and officials say roughly 17–18 million children have been vaccinated while Vitamin A supplements are being distributed to reduce severe disease.
- Health experts warn that long‑distance travel and mass gatherings for Eid could accelerate transmission and advise families to avoid non‑essential movement and isolate children with fever or rash because delayed referrals are producing late, severe admissions.
- Reporting links the outbreak to disruptions in routine immunization after 2024 political upheaval and later changes to vaccine procurement, a breakdown that public‑health officials say left immunity gaps that the current emergency campaign is trying to close.