Measles claims two more children in Barishal, death toll reaches 39

Two more children died with measles symptoms in Barishal division today (20 May), raising the death toll to 39.

The children who died in the last 24 hours were Ali Azgar, aged four and a half months, son of Moniruzzaman of Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur, and three-month-old Muaj, son of Rahat Gazi of Hajikhali area in Patuakhali Sadar, confirmed Barishal Divisional Health Directorate

Four children have died at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in the last two days.

Hospital Director Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir said 26 children have so far died with measles symptoms at the hospital, including the two deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

He said 55 new patients were admitted during the period, while 204 patients are currently admitted to the hospital. A total of 2,341 patients have been admitted there so far.

Acting Director of the Divisional Health Directorate Dr Mohammad Lokman Hakim said 130 out of 133 suspected measles patients identified in the last 24 hours were admitted to different hospitals.

He said the number of suspected measles cases in the division has reached 6,083 so far this year, of whom 5,712 were admitted to different hospitals.

“With the two latest deaths, the total number of deaths in Barishal division has risen to 39,” he said.

“We are providing treatment to the best of our ability. We are monitoring different hospitals every moment and working to reduce the number of deaths,” he added.