Stories
Bangladesh Faces Severe Measles Outbreak, Warning Issued for India and Global Nations
- •Bangladesh is currently experiencing the world's most severe measles outbreak, with over 2.02 lakh suspected cases and 1,147 deaths reported between mid-March and October 9.
- •Children under the age of five account for 94 percent of the total deaths, highlighting the critical nature of the public health crisis.
- •The crisis worsened significantly following political instability in 2024, which disrupted routine immunization programs, health worker strikes, and delayed vaccine orders.
- •First-dose measles vaccine coverage dropped from 96 percent in 2024 to 90 percent in 2025, falling well below the WHO recommended 95 percent threshold.
- •Up to 40 percent of children in Bangladesh remain unregistered, and one-third of health worker positions are vacant, posing massive systemic challenges.
Key Questions Answered
The measles outbreak worsened following the political instability in 2024, which led to strikes by health workers, delays in vaccine orders, and disruptions in routine immunization programs. Consequently, first-dose vaccine coverage dropped from 96% in 2024 to 90% in 2025, falling below the WHO's 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks.
According to World Health Organization data from mid-March to October 9, Bangladesh reported 2.02 lakh suspected measles cases, with 22,000 confirmed by laboratory testing. During this period, 1,147 people died, and 94% of these fatalities were children under the age of five.
Major challenges include widespread unregistered children, with up to 40% lacking official registration, and about one-third of health worker positions remaining vacant. Additionally, inaccuracies in official data between 2023 and 2025 hindered effective tracking of vaccinated populations.
