Dhaka : Bangladesh is battling the world’s worst measles outbreak, with 202,000 suspected cases, including 22,000 laboratory confirmed infections, and 1,147 deaths reported between mid-March and October 9, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Children under five accounted for 94% of deaths.
WHO and UNICEF attributed the outbreak to declining routine vaccination coverage, with first dose coverage falling to 90% and second dose coverage to 86% in 2025, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
The outbreak has been compounded by gaps in emergency vaccination campaigns, shortages of healthcare workers and difficulties reaching vulnerable communities.
Bangladesh launched a new vaccination campaign in late September targeting 3.4 million children missed by previous efforts.
