At least 1,002 children have died from measles in Bangladesh, marking the world's most severe ongoing outbreak, according to the country's health officials. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 187,484 infections since the outbreak began in March, with children under five accounting for over 80 percent of cases early on.

Measles is a highly contagious disease preventable by a two-dose vaccine. Severe cases can lead to dangerous complications like brain swelling and breathing problems, with no specific treatment available. The current crisis highlights significant gaps in the nation's immunisation program.

Professor Mahmudur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research in Dhaka, described the situation as unprecedented for Bangladesh, emphasizing the tragic toll on children. Health officials are grappling with overwhelmed hospitals, which are also managing a surge in dengue fever cases, adding to the strain on medical resources.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have linked the crisis to disruptions in the nation's immunisation program that occurred between 2024 and 2025. This period of political instability, following the ousting of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, appears to have created the conditions for the current outbreak.

Bangladeshi Health Minister Sardar Husain informed parliament that changes in procurement policy during that time led to a shortage of vaccines. This shortage directly impacted the ability to maintain adequate vaccination coverage.

A nationwide emergency vaccination drive was launched in April, successfully immunizing 18 million children. However, official figures indicate that approximately four million children were not reached by the campaign, leaving them vulnerable to the disease.

"We couldn't achieve herd immunity," stated DGHS spokesman Zahid Raihan, acknowledging the ongoing efforts to find and vaccinate the remaining children. He stressed the commitment to continue vaccinating children to reduce casualties, even if eradication is not immediately achievable.

The dual burden of measles and a surge in dengue fever, which has seen over 45,000 hospital admissions and record daily cases and deaths, presents a significant challenge for Bangladesh's healthcare system.