Measles infections are increasing rapidly in the country amid a vaccine shortage . The number of infected people has crossed 1,500 this month and child deaths are being reported in various districts.
According to the Department of Health, the infection has spread to different parts of the country, including Dhaka , Rajshahi , Chittagong and Khulna . Three children died in Rajshahi and two more in Mymensingh on Saturday.
Dr. Mohammad Shahriar Sajjad, Deputy Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), said that currently, measles infection is spreading in almost all areas of the country. Worryingly, children under nine months of age, who have not yet been vaccinated, are also being affected.
The capital’s Infectious Diseases Hospital has seen a huge increase in patient pressure. The 100-bed hospital currently has 130 patients admitted. Many are being treated in the corridors and balconies.
Experts say that last year, many children did not receive their vaccines on time due to disruptions in vaccination programs, vaccine shortages, and protests by field workers, which has led to the severe outbreak this year.
To deal with this situation, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that the government has made a special allocation of Tk 604 crore to strengthen vaccination activities. Once the vaccine collection is completed, a special campaign will be run across the country.
He also said that immediate steps are being taken to resolve the hospital crisis. Especially, quick measures are being taken to deal with the ventilator crisis at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital .
Public health expert Dr. Nizam Uddin said that areas with high infection rates must be identified and vaccination programs must be carried out on an urgent basis. Otherwise, there is a risk that the situation will worsen.
The Health Department said it plans to quickly launch an ‘outbreak response’ program to control the infection. This may include special vaccination programs in affected areas.