DHAKA : Measles cases are beginning to decline in 30 upazilas under 18 districts identified as hotspots due to the government’s accelerated drive to contain the spread of measles infection.
In most of these upazilas, the daily number of measles cases has dropped to below double digits, relevant sources said.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), measles infections among children have significantly decreased in the areas where vaccination campaigns were initially conducted.
Under the special campaign launched on April 5, children aged 5 to 59 months were vaccinated, resulting in a noticeable reduction in new measles cases in high-risk areas.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said the vaccination programme launched on April 5 in the 30 hotspot upazilas across 18 districts has brought measles cases there almost to zero.
He also stated that measles is currently under control nationwide.
World Health Organization representative Dr Chiranjit Das said vaccines generally take two to three weeks to show effectiveness.
Statistic shows that after vaccination activities began on April 5 in the 30 identified hotspot upazilas, new infections have now nearly disappeared.
In particular, patient numbers started visibly declining after April 17. He described these results as clear evidence of the vaccine’s effectiveness. A similar trend is also being observed in five city corporation areas.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Health Affairs Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Hyder said the overall child mortality rate from measles in the country remains stable.
However, he noted that it will take several more weeks to achieve the full benefits of the vaccination campaign, as antibodies generally take three to four weeks to develop after vaccination.
DGHS director general Prof. Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas told BSS that measles infections among children have significantly declined in the areas where the campaign was initially conducted.
A BSS correspondent from Chapainawabganj reported that after two patients were admitted to the district hospital in January and five in February, measles cases increased rapidly in March.
In April, the situation nearly reached epidemic proportions, with almost 100 patients being admitted daily. However, currently only 8 to 10 patients are being admitted each day.
Chapainawabganj Civil Surgeon Dr. A. K. M. Shahab Uddin told BSS that the severity of measles in the district has greatly declined.
District Hospital Superintendent Dr. Mashiur Rahman said that recent admission figures indicate that the measles outbreak in Chapainawabganj is subsiding.
BSS Natore correspondent reported that the special vaccination campaign in the district’s sadar upazila has restored public confidence. Currently, there are no deaths or serious complications related to measles symptoms.
Natore District Civil Surgeon Dr. Muhammad Mashiur Rahman told BSS that 100 percent of the target children in Natore Sadar Upazila received measles vaccines under the special measles-rubella vaccination campaign.
As a result, their immunity has increased, the number of measles patients has decreased, and public awareness has improved, bringing relief to residents, he said.
Pabna district Civil Surgeon Md. Abul Kalam Azad told BSS that children are still contracting measles, but the number of cases has dropped significantly.
In March, around 19 to 21 measles patients were admitted daily to the district hospital, whereas now only 8 to 10 patients are being admitted each day, he said.
