Bangladesh is confronting a major measles outbreak driven by weak surveillance and incomplete vaccination programmes, according to public health specialists.
The World Health Organization has recorded more than 202,000 suspected measles cases in the country between mid-March and early October this year. Of these, around 22,000 have been laboratory-confirmed. The figure exceeds reported suspected cases from any other country in 2026.
At least 1,147 people have died, with 94 percent of fatalities among children under five. Experts say low immunisation coverage has left large numbers of children unprotected and created conditions for rapid spread.
Professor Mark Jit of New York University’s School of Global Public Health, who advises the WHO on vaccines, described the situation as a genuine warning to every country. He noted that preventing outbreaks through vaccination is far simpler and less costly than responding to emergencies.
Bangladesh’s health minister had said in May that an intensive vaccination campaign had brought cases close to zero in the worst-affected areas and that the outbreak was under control. However, September saw an average of nearly 1,200 new suspected cases reported daily — the highest monthly total since May.
Measles remains highly contagious. Health authorities continue to urge improved routine immunisation and rapid response to suspected clusters to limit further transmission.
