Measles still persists while dengue cases also rising
The double blow of these diseases exposed gaps in vaccination and healthcare preparedness, experts say
More than three months after the measles outbreak began, the disease continues to rage across the country, sending up to 1,000 children to hospitals each day and claiming lives almost daily, even as a fresh surge in dengue cases and deaths threatens to deepen the public health crisis.
Public health experts have called for an urgent expansion of measles vaccination coverage and evidence-based mosquito control measures, alongside strengthening healthcare services at district and upazila hospitals to cope with the growing dengue burden.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 18 people had died from dengue as of 30 June this year, including 13 deaths in June alone. One person died in May. A total of 6,004 dengue patients have been hospitalised so far this year, with 2,907 cases reported in June alone.
The highest number of cases has been recorded in Barishal division, with 1,629 infections, followed by Chattogram with 1,140 cases and Khulna with 701 hospitalised patients.
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Among Dhaka's two city corporations, the outbreak is more severe in the south, where 871 dengue patients have been hospitalised, compared with 532 in the north.
Dr Khabirul Bashar, professor of zoology at Jahangirnagar University, said dengue cases are expected to rise steadily and could worsen further in August and September.
"This year, infections will be higher outside Dhaka than in the capital. However, patients from those areas often travel to Dhaka for treatment, and their conditions become more complicated during the journey," he told The Business Standard.
He warned that prolonged travel can lead to dehydration and plasma leakage among dengue patients, stressing the need to prepare district and upazila hospitals so patients do not have to rush to Dhaka for treatment.
Calling fogging ineffective, he said identifying mosquito breeding sites and destroying larvae through evidence-based, targeted interventions is essential to controlling dengue.
He also emphasised public participation in eliminating breeding grounds.
Dr Shyamal Krishna Mondal, director of the DGHS's Barishal division, said authorities have stepped up preparations to deal with the rising caseload, including special monitoring at district hospitals and intensified awareness campaigns through coordinated efforts between local administrations and the health department.
Vaccination gaps prolong measles outbreak
Since 15 March, around 113,000 children with confirmed and suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals across the country, with 718 deaths reported.
Public health experts blame inadequate vaccination coverage for the prolonged measles outbreak.
Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former disease control director at the DGHS, said at least 95% of children must be vaccinated to stop measles transmission, but that threshold has not been achieved in the worst-affected areas.
He said the recent special vaccination drive also suffered from poor publicity, leaving many parents unaware of the programme, particularly in remote areas, slums and less-aware communities.
"If nearly 1,000 children are being admitted to hospitals every day, there will be a risk of deaths every day as well. The only way to prevent deaths is to prevent infections," he said.
On dengue, he warned that the peak season has begun and infections will increasingly spread beyond Dhaka, requiring coordinated mosquito-control measures nationwide.
He also called for strengthening dengue treatment capacity at district and upazila hospitals, noting that many patients cannot afford to travel to the capital for medical care.
Public health expert Dr M Mushtuq Husain said emergency vaccination campaigns alone are insufficient. Under the routine immunisation programme, health workers must now conduct door-to-door microplanning to identify and vaccinate children who have missed their shots.
"Children who have still not been vaccinated must be brought under immunisation quickly, and the second dose must also be administered according to the prescribed schedule," he said.
