Overview
- The outbreak that began on March 15 has produced more than 56,000 suspected cases and roughly 481 reported child deaths according to health authorities and multiple agency reports.
- An emergency campaign launched on May 5 has vaccinated about 18 million children but health officials warn vaccine-derived protection will take weeks to months to build.
- UNICEF says it raised formal warnings at least 10 times and sent five to six letters since 2024 about procurement delays that it links to the vaccine shortfall.
- The new BNP-led government has opened an investigation into the procurement decisions that halted UNICEF-led purchases and says it inherited an acute lack of stock with UNICEF offering documentary evidence.
- Measles has been detected in 58 of 64 districts and is straining hospitals in cities and refugee camps, raising concerns about cross-border spread and threats to global measles control.