BD measles deaths near 500 but vaccines offer hope

DHAKA: A mass vaccination program against a measles outbreak, which has claimed more than 500 lives in two months, has begun in Bangladesh, according to the United Nations children's agency Wednesday.

At least six children have died within the last day alone, bringing the death toll to 481, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated, citing ministry of health figures.

However, an ongoing national immunization drive has covered 18 million children, the agency added.

“The good thing is 18 million children have received the measles vaccination,” Rana Flowers, UNICEF's Bangladesh Representative, said.

However, Zahid Raihan, spokesperson for the ministry of health, said there was hope in areas where the disease was widespread, and despite a lengthy process before seeing results, it appeared things were beginning to turn around in some ways.

“It will be seen effectively after four months of vaccination,” Raihan said.

The South Asian nation of 170 million people has been battling its worst measles outbreak since March 15, with more than 50,000 confirmed and suspected cases.

The highly contagious disease has affected children younger than nine months as well as older adults.