Recent research has unveiled alarming data regarding the measles outbreak and the efficacy of vaccination programs in the country. A study conducted on measles patients admitted to the Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Institute found that a staggering 80% of infected children had not received any measles vaccine. Furthermore, separate findings revealed that 52% of children who died from the disease were under nine months of age.
Experts emphasize that the current epidemiological situation calls for deeper and more comprehensive investigations into measles and its preventative vaccines.
The research was conducted between April and May of this year, analyzing 341 children up to 14 years of age who sought treatment at the Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Institute. The field study was carried out by a joint team of 19 researchers from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and the Shishu Hospital.
The findings were officially presented yesterday (Sunday) at a special seminar hosted by BRAC University’s Department of Microbiology, focusing on the country’s measles outbreak and actionable solutions. Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Director of the Infectious Diseases Division and Head of the Virology Laboratory and Genome Centre at icddr,b, presented the keynote data.
Researchers noted that a mortality rate exceeding 50% (52 percent) among infants under nine months old delivers a critically concerning signal. Typically, under standard vaccination guidelines, children receive their first dose of the measles vaccine at nine months of age. Consequently, physicians have urged further extensive research to determine whether national policy frameworks need adjustments to ensure protection for infants below this age threshold.
The seminar also featured presentations and insights from Professor Mahmudur Rahman, former Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), and Professor Abid Hossain Mollah, former Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Dhaka Medical College, alongside university faculty members and students.
According to medical data discussed, administering the vaccine between 4 to 6 months of age generates protective antibodies in 50% to 75% of children, while giving it at 9 months increases efficacy significantly. Vaccination between 9 to 12 months provides protection to 88% to 90% of children.
Child Fatalities Reported
Amid the ongoing outbreak, four more children have died with measles symptoms across the country, while 938 additional children have shown symptoms. Furthermore, 113 new cases of measles have been newly diagnosed.
This brings the total death toll since March 15 to 693 children who succumbed to measles symptoms, alongside 95 deaths among officially confirmed measles cases—marking a combined total of 788 child fatalities attributed to measles and its related symptoms during this period.
