Concern is growing in Sylhet as measles infections increase, with at least 12 children currently receiving treatment at hospitals across the district.
Health officials said a rising number of children are being admitted daily with symptoms of the highly contagious disease.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmejoy Dutta said on Sunday that some of the affected children are below nine months of age, including infants as young as five to six months, who are not yet eligible for vaccination. In some cases, children have been infected despite receiving the vaccine.
He said the health department has launched a special investigation to determine the reasons behind such infections.
Dr Dutta noted that there had been some disruption in measles vaccine supply last year, although there is currently no shortage of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through the air, particularly affecting children. Initial symptoms include fever, cold and cough, followed by a rash that spreads across the body within a few days. While the disease usually subsides within two weeks, complications may develop during the second week.
Doctors said many affected children develop complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, eye infections and electrolyte imbalance. In rare cases, it can lead to kidney or heart failure, encephalitis and seizures.
In Bangladesh, the MR vaccine is administered in two doses the first at nine months and the second at 15 months which generally provides strong immunity. However, immunity takes time to develop, and children under nine months remain the most vulnerable.
Health officials said several of the infected children had recently travelled or visited crowded places, which may have contributed to the rapid spread. Children who missed vaccination are at higher risk, while preventing infection among those not yet eligible for vaccines remains a major challenge.
The Sylhet health department is preparing to launch a special MR vaccination campaign targeting children aged between nine months and five years, particularly in areas with high dropout rates.
Sources said the campaign is expected to begin soon, and the age range may be extended if necessary to ensure wider coverage.
Health experts advised parents to keep infected children away from crowded places, ensure proper nutrition, hydration and rest, and seek medical care if complications arise. They also stressed isolating infected children and completing vaccination on time.
With pressure mounting on hospitals, officials emphasised that timely vaccination and isolation remain the most effective measures to control the outbreak.