Bangladesh: Measles Outbreak - Mar 2026

The Bangladesh Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported that 118 children have died across the country since March 15 with suspected measles. During the same period, 5,940 children were hospitalised with measles symptoms, of whom 1,099 were further positively confirmed. Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella campaign on April 5 with UNICEF, WHO and GAVI, to protect over 1.2 million children in 30 upazilas (sub-district administrative units). IFRC is facilitating the mobilisation of community volunteers for emergency vaccination campaign. The Dhaka Division has recorded the highest number of confirmed cases to date. (ECHO, 7 Apr 2026)

Bangladesh is facing a nationwide measles surge since mid-March, with cases reported in 57 on 64 districts. As of 9 April, 11,133 suspected cases and 1,599 confirmed cases have been recorded, alongside 138 suspected child deaths. Transmission remains high, mainly affecting children under five (80%), reflecting immunity gaps due to sub-optimal routine vaccination. In Rohingya camps (Cox’s Bazar), 76 suspected and 8 confirmed cases have been reported across multiple camps (including Camps 1E, 2E, 5, 9, 18, 20, 27 and Bhasan Char). Most cases (75%) are children under five, and 75% are unvaccinated. No cases have been confirmed among recent arrivals, but overcrowding and unknown vaccination status of 150,000 new refugees heighten outbreak risk. (ECHO, 10 Apr 2026)

Bangladesh is experiencing a measles outbreak across 58 out of 64 districts. To date, 166 children have died (32 laboratory-confirmed) and 19,161 cases have been hospitalised (2,973 laboratory-confirmed). In Rohingya camps, 211 suspected cases have been reported (8 confirmed). The outbreak is driven by gaps in routine immunisation, with clusters of zero-dose and under-vaccinated populations, compounded by delays in the 2025 nationwide measles-rubella (MR) campaign. [...] An emergency MR campaign began on 5 April, reaching 943,000 children (6 months–5 years) by 13 April. Around 22 million doses are being distributed. In Rohingya camps, vaccination will run from 26 April to 7 May, targeting 178,028 children. (ECHO, 16 Apr 2026)

As of 22 April, 27,164 suspected cases and 3,934 laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported nationwide, including at least 190 measles-related deaths, although the overall mortality burden is likely to be underestimated due to underreporting. Children under five accounted for 80 per cent of reported cases as of 19 April. Transmission was reported in Rohingya refugee camps, where 331 suspected measles cases, including eight laboratory-confirmed cases, had been reported as of 22 April. The measles-rubella vaccination campaign expanded on 20 April, with 4.14 million children vaccinated. Partners deployed 14.9 million doses and trained more than 26,000 frontline workers. (UN RC Bangladesh, 23 Apr 2026)

The 2026 measles surge represents a dramatic escalation, with confirmed cases jumping to more than 5,400 compared to less than 280 annually in the previous five years. From 15 March to 4 May, a total of 41,793 suspected measles cases were reported nationwide. Since mid March, a total of 5,567 laboratory confirmed measles cases and 253 suspected measles deaths had been reported nationally. Dhaka Division reported the highest cumulative burden, with 18,975 cases, and 34 confirmed deaths. According to the latest EPI coverage evaluation data (2023), national coverage for the first and second doses of the measles–rubella (MR) vaccine stands at 86.1% and 80.7%, respectively. This leaves a substantial proportion of children unvaccinated. Weekly syndromic surveillance data indicate a sharp rise in measles consultations from epidemiological weeks 12–15 of 2026, suggesting intensified transmission during April. Children under five years accounted for 61% of laboratory-confirmed cases in 2026, including 22% among infants younger than nine months. The epidemiological evidence indicates active and expanding measles transmission in Rohingya camps, with incidence markedly exceeding recent years. Persistent zero-dose and partial vaccination among confirmed cases continues to drive outbreak risk in densely populated camp environments. Mortality data and case fatality ratios were not reported, limiting assessment of disease severity. (Bangladesh Red Crescent & IFRC, 5 May 2026)