Bangladesh measles deaths pass 1,000 as vaccination drive misses millions

September 9, 2026 at 08:29 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

At least 1,002 children have died from measles in Bangladesh, health officials said Wednesday, as the country battles the world's largest outbreak. The Directorate General of Health Services reported 187,484 infections since March, with hospitals overwhelmed by a simultaneous dengue surge. The crisis follows a vaccination drive that missed roughly four million children.

Key Facts

At least 1,002 children have died from measles in Bangladesh since the outbreak began in March, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
The DGHS reported 187,484 measles infections as of Wednesday.
A nationwide emergency vaccination drive launched in April reached 18 million children, leaving roughly four million unvaccinated.
More than 45,000 people have been admitted to hospital for dengue fever, with Tuesday setting a record for both admissions and deaths.
The WHO and UNICEF linked the measles crisis to gaps in Bangladesh's immunisation programme that emerged in 2024 and 2025 during political turmoil.

Outbreak Scale

Bangladesh is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in the world, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children under five accounted for more than 80 percent of cases early in the outbreak. Professor Mahmudur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, called the situation unprecedented, saying Bangladesh has never witnessed so many children dying from measles.

Vaccination Gaps

The WHO and UNICEF linked the crisis to gaps in the immunisation programme that emerged in 2024 and 2025, following the ousting of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Health Minister Sardar Husain told parliament on Monday that changes to procurement policy during that period created a vaccine shortage. DGHS spokesman Zahid Raihan said the emergency campaign could not achieve herd immunity and that teams are still searching for missed children.

Hospital Strain

Hospitals are simultaneously handling a surge in dengue fever, with more than 45,000 people admitted for the disease. Tuesday was a record day for both dengue admissions and deaths.