Bangladesh is facing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with nearly 500 children dying over the past two months.
According to Agence France-Presse, Bangladesh’s Health Ministry said on the 20th that six more children had died in the previous 24 hours.
The latest fatalities brought the country’s measles death toll to 481 since March 15.
More than 50,000 confirmed and suspected cases have been reported nationwide.
Measles is highly contagious and has spread beyond children to infants younger than 9 months old and some adults, though children remain the most severely affected group.
The disease can cause life-threatening complications including respiratory failure, severe weakness and brain swelling.
Health officials said disruptions following the 2024 uprising that toppled the former government delayed vaccine procurement and created major gaps in immunization coverage, fueling the large-scale outbreak.
In response to the surge in infections, the government and UNICEF launched an emergency vaccination campaign.
UNICEF said approximately 18 million children across Bangladesh have now received measles vaccinations.
A spokesperson for Bangladesh’s health authorities said it takes roughly four months for vaccine protection to fully take effect, adding that some of the hardest-hit regions are already beginning to show signs of improvement.
Bangladesh’s new government took office in February. UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the previous administration and sent multiple official letters urging action, but delayed responses allowed the outbreak to worsen significantly.