Dhaka [Bangladesh], May 25: At least 86 children have died from confirmed measles infections in Bangladesh this ​year, and another 426 with symptoms consistent with the disease, health officials said on Saturday, as the country battles one of its worst outbreaks in decades.
Cases have spread ​rapidly in recent months, overwhelming hospitals and ​placing severe strain on already fragile healthcare services, ⁠particularly in rural districts and densely populated ​low-income urban areas.
Health authorities have identified 62,507 suspected ​measles cases nationwide as well as 8,494 laboratory-confirmed infections between March 15 and May 23, data from the Directorate ​General of Health Services showed.
Children under five are ​most vulnerable to severe infection and death, particularly those who ⁠not been vaccinated or have only been partially immunized, health officials have said.
The World Health Organization said last month declining routine immunisation coverage had ​increased the ​risk of ⁠a large-scale outbreak.
Since then, the government has expanded emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaigns targeting ​young children.
The government says it has ​also deployed ⁠rapid response teams, strengthened disease surveillance and increased the distribution of vitamin A to reduce complications.
Measles ⁠is ​one of the world's most ​contagious diseases but can largely be prevented through two doses of ​vaccine.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation