United News of Bangladesh

Sylhet, Aug 14 (UNB) - Two children died with measles-like symptoms in Sylhet division in the 24 hours until Friday morning, raising the combined measles and suspected measles-related death toll in the division to 133 this year. The two children, aged 17 months and six months, died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, according to a report from the Office of the Divisional Director (Health) in Sylhet. Of the 133 deaths recorded so far, six were confirmed to have been caused by measles, while the remaining deaths involved patients who had symptoms of the disease. The Directorate General of Health Services also reported 28 new confirmed measles cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the division this year to 942. Meanwhile, 119 people with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the division during the same period. Of them, 48 were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, 57 to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, three to North East Hospital and two to Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital. The remaining patients were admitted to different district and upazila hospitals. Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of deaths in the division, with 55, followed by Sylhet with 48, Habiganj with 17 and Moulvibazar with 13.

Three more children have died while undergoing treatment with measles-like symptoms in Sylhet, further heightening concerns over the growing outbreak in the division. According to the Sylhet divisional office of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were recorded in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday. Of the deceased, two died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and one at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital between 6:00pm and 11:00pm on Thursday, health officials said. The deceased were identified as Mahadi Hasan, 5 months, son of Abdul Mumin of Surma Residential Area in Akhalia of Sylhet city; Mustakin, 6 months, son of Sunnah Mia of South Sunamganj; and Zara, 7 months, daughter of Zakaria from Sureshnagar area under Bishwambharpur in Sunamganj. With the latest fatalities, the number of children who have died from measles and measles-like symptoms in Sylhet division has risen to 23. According to the DGHS, one new measles case was confirmed through laboratory testing during the same period, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the division to 142. In the 24-hour period, 53 more children with measles-like symptoms were admitted to different hospitals across the division in the last 24 hours. As of Friday morning, a total of 241 children were undergoing treatment at hospitals and health complexes across the division, with the highest number. Health officials said laboratory testing facilities remain limited in Sylhet, and patients showing measles symptoms are being treated initially based on clinical signs. Samples from critically ill patients are being sent to Dhaka for confirmation. The health officials a vaccination campaign targeting around 13.5 lakh children is underway. So far, more than 12.5 lakh children have been vaccinated, covering over 96 percent of the target. The campaign will continue until May 20.