The government’s directorate general of health services reported that 11 children had died in the 24 hours that ended Sunday morning. Among them, four had confirmed measles infections, while the other seven died after developing measles symptoms.

Of the total of 344 children who have died since March 15, 65 children are confirmed to have contracted measles, while the remainder died with symptoms.

The report also noted that 282 more children were diagnosed with measles in the last 24 hours, and an additional 1,278 children showing measles symptoms were hospitalised during the same period.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral illness. It causes high fever, cough, red eyes, and a characteristic blotchy rash. Symptoms usually appear 10–12 days after exposure in children.

Since March 15, a total of 49,159 children have shown measles symptoms. Among them, 34,909 have been admitted to hospitals. Of these hospitalised children, 6,819 were diagnosed with measles. More than 30,000 patients have since been discharged.

In early April, the Bangladeshi government, with support from Unicef, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign.

According to Unicef, the campaign aims to protect more than 1.2 million children aged six months to five years across 18 of the country’s 64 administrative districts.

“Due to the current measles outbreak, the ministry of health and family welfare has taken swift and effective measures,” said Bangladeshi health minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain.

The UN agency said that the campaign complements routine immunisation efforts and is part of a broader strategy to restore immunisation coverage, strengthen health systems, and build resilience against future outbreaks.