Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Claims 336 Children as Church Urges Vaccination

Bangladesh is grappling with a worsening measles outbreak that has claimed at least 336 children since mid-March, with 12 more deaths reported in the past 24 hours, raising alarm among health authorities and church-based health care providers.

Among the victims was eight-month-old Fayyaz Hasan Tajim, the only child of Farzana Islam and Helal Bhuiyan. Born after 11 years of marriage through in vitro fertilization, Tajim had become the center of his parents’ hopes and dreams. Farzana even named her Facebook account “Tajim’s Mom” in celebration of his birth.

Their joy turned to anguish in March when the infant fell ill. He first developed pneumonia and diarrhea, and later contracted measles. Despite being admitted to several hospitals in Dhaka and Narayanganj, Tajim could not be saved. He died on April 22 at the age of eight months and 18 days.

His story echoes that of hundreds of other families across the country. Health officials confirmed that 336 children have died of measles within just one and a half months, highlighting the severity of the outbreak.

Church-run healthcare centers are seeing an increasing number of patients. Fr. Lintu Francis Costa, head of St. John Vianney Hospital, Dhaka, said many children with measles symptoms are arriving for treatment.

“We are providing the best possible service to measles patients. Pediatricians are offering primary care, and we supported a two-day government vaccination campaign held at our hospital,” he told RVA News.

Fr. Costa expressed deep sorrow over the rising deaths. “It is truly unexpected and sad that so many children are dying of measles,” he said.

He pointed to gaps in vaccination coverage as a likely cause of the outbreak. “The vaccines that are supposed to be given to children within the first 28 days of birth are not being administered properly, or there may be deficiencies in vaccine management,” he said, urging coordinated national action.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining proper vaccine storage and delivery systems. “It is necessary to ensure vaccines are kept at the right temperature and administered at the right time. If these are ensured, child mortality from measles will decrease,” he added.

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh operates around 10 hospitals and 70 clinics and dispensaries. These institutions are now actively advising parents to vaccinate children on time and seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear. In collaboration with government efforts, vaccination campaigns are also being organized in some Church-run facilities.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said authorities are taking steps to control the outbreak. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka on May 4, he expressed hope that measles infections would decline in the coming days.

“We are making all necessary preparations, including expanding specialized wards and ensuring better healthcare facilities,” he said, noting that improving intensive care services at district hospitals could reduce pressure on central facilities.

The minister also acknowledged past shortages of vaccines but said new supplies are arriving with international support. He added that while vaccines typically take about three weeks to become effective, current measures are expected to help contain the spread soon.

As the country races to curb the outbreak, the deaths of children like Tajim continue to underline the urgent need for effective vaccination and coordinated public health action.