BGD: Epidemic – 10-2026 – Measles in Bangladesh #3 (2026-10-15)

Please refer to the attached file. Description Since 15 March 2026 to 14 October 2026, a cumulative total of 208, 570 suspected measles cases have been reported nationwide. During the most recent 24-hour reporting period, 119 suspected cases were recorded. Given the current surge, suspected cases are being managed and treated as measles cases. Since mid-March, 22, 840 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported, while hospital surveillance data indicate 185, 390 cumulative admissions for suspected measles. Measles-associated mortality also remains a major concern. Since 15 March, 1, 073 suspected measles deaths have been reported nationally, including 104 confirmed measles deaths during the current reporting period. Dhaka Division continues to report the highest cumulative burden, with 87, 200 suspected cases and 486 suspected deaths, while substantial case burdens have also been reported in Chattogram and Barishal. The outbreak has been driven in part by accumulated immunity gaps. Over several years, missed vaccinations and disruptions in vaccine supply have left a substantial number of children susceptible to measles. Infants under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine measles immunisation, are particularly vulnerable. The accumulation of unvaccinated and under-immunised children over four to five years has created a large susceptible cohort, increasing the risk of sustained transmission and outbreaks across age groups. Since April 2026, Bangladesh has vaccinated nearly 20 million children through emergency and follow-up campaigns. However, significant immunity gaps remain, with some eligible children missed or left unvaccinated during previous vaccination drives. According to the latest EPI data, reported MR campaign coverage has reached 115. 7% across the divisions and 115. 4% in the City Corporations. Despite these reported coverage levels, measles transmission remains high. Hospital surveillance data recorded around 1, 000 suspected measles admissions daily during the reporting period, peaking at 1, 251 on 8 October 2026, highlighting the continued pressure on health facilities. In response to the continuing outbreak and remaining immunity gaps, the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign on 26 September 2026, targeting approximately 3. 4 million unvaccinated and missed children. The campaign is prioritising children who have missed routine immunisation and those at higher risk of severe illness and complications. Intensified efforts are being undertaken in high-risk and densely populated areas, particularly Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar. At least 95% vaccination coverage is required to maintain population-level immunity against measles, highlighting the continued need to identify and reach missed children despite the high reported campaign coverage. Increasing Pressure from Dengue: The measles outbreak is occurring alongside a rising dengue burden, creating an increasingly challenging situation for an already overstretched health system. Hospitals are managing more than 900 measles admissions per day, while increasing numbers of dengue patients are adding further pressure on hospital beds, healthcare workers, diagnostics, blood and other essential resources. Major public hospitals in Dhaka, which have managed large numbers of dengue patients during previous outbreaks, are already heavily burdened by measles cases. Any further increase in dengue admissions could intensify competition for limited resources and affect the continuity and quality of care for both measles and dengue patients. More than 100, 000 people have reportedly been admitted to hospital with dengue in 2026. The concurrent measles and dengue outbreaks therefore pose a significant risk of further overwhelming health facilities, particularly in high-burden areas. Maintaining essential routine health services while responding to both outbreaks will require continued support to health facilities, particularly for case management, essential medical supplies, infection prevention and control, and referral services. Economic Impact on Affected Families: The impact of the measles outbreak extends beyond the health system and is placing a significant financial burden on affected households. Many patients, particularly those from outside Dhaka, continue to be referred to major hospitals in Dhaka for specialised or better-quality treatment. A large proportion of affected families are from lower- and middle-income households and depend on informal or daily wage-based employment. When children require prolonged hospitalisation away from their homes and places of work, families incur substantial additional costs for transport, food, accommodation, diagnostic tests and medicines that are not covered by the hospital. These indirect and out-of-pocket costs can be particularly difficult for households already facing financial constraints. The most recent cash assessment conducted by IFRC and BDRCS found that nine out of ten measles-affected families had to borrow money to cover medical expenses. Families spent an average of more than US$130 on treatment and related costs, while some families reported losing income or employment because caregivers had to remain away from work to accompany children during treatment. The combination of prolonged hospital stays, referral-related travel and loss of income is therefore increasing the economic vulnerability of affected households. While hospitals may cover core treatment costs, families continue to bear significant expenses associated with accessing and maintaining care. Key Gaps and Priority Needs: The current situation highlights several critical needs. These include continued efforts to identify and vaccinate missed and zero-dose children, strengthen routine immunisation and catch-up vaccination, and intensify vaccination and community engagement activities in high-risk areas. At the health-facility level, additional support is needed to manage the sustained measles caseload while preparing for a potential increase in dengue admissions. At the community and household level, affected families require support to cope with the indirect economic consequences of prolonged treatment and referral. Transport, food, diagnostic costs and other essential expenses can place families under significant financial stress and may lead to borrowing, loss of income or disruption of livelihoods. Multipurpose cash assistance and other appropriate forms of household support can help address these immediate economic impacts while reducing the risk of families resorting to negative coping mechanisms. With measles transmission continuing and dengue cases increasing simultaneously, strengthening both the health-system response and household-level support remains critical to prevent further deterioration of the situation and ensure that vulnerable families can access and continue essential care. BDRCS maintains active coordination with MoHFW, DGHS EPI Unit, IEDCR, WHO, UNICEF, ECHO, RRRC, and the Health Cluster/HCTT. As emergency DREF activities reach full completion, operational priorities are transitioning toward sustaining routine EPI catch-up support and reinforcing infection prevention standards in community health centers. Request For Assistance Government Requests International Assistance: No NS Requests International Assistance: Yes Information Bulletin Published No

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