Bangladesh did not meet its 2026 measles target due to vaccination gaps in 2024 and 2025 according to a report in Reuters. The following year saw cancellation of a nationwide measles-rubella campaign.
As a result, more children became vulnerable to infection.
WHO, UNICEF and various health agencies point to these disruptions as potential causes for the increases in measles and mosquito-borne dengue fever.
Years of progress towards the elimination of measles has been obscured in Bangladesh by the number of children dying.
Closing immunity gaps, increasing both vaccination coverage and public awareness are priorities to contain and reverse the outbreak.
This also puts a strain on hospitals when adding an additional increase in dengue virus cases. Hospitals are having difficulty coping with the increased cases of measles as well as the increase in cases of the dengue virus where even mild cases will cause a fever.
Thus far, according to health ministry data, over 45,000 people have been admitted to the hospital in 2026 for dengue virus. Dr. Nanda Dulal Saha, Ing, Director of Shaheed Suhrawardy explained that new patients continue to be admitted. The hospitals are making every effort to accommodate each patient. There are sixty beds in the state-run hospital, yet some patients are being treated on the floor. Apparently, the shortage of pediatric saline, which can help alleviate the symptoms of measles, was further complicating the situation.
The hospital, designed for 1,350 patients, is currently caring for more than 2,350.
Families are enduring weeks of anxiety and additional costs.
Meeting the Target
The vaccination campaign targeted about 18 million children aged six months to under five years. Although over 19.7 million children have been vaccinated, according to the health ministry, experts said stronger routine immunization campaigns were in order.
The twin health crises underscore the challenge facing Bangladesh’s health system.
Prevention
Although measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, it can be prevented with two doses of vaccine.
The twin health crises underscore the challenge facing Bangladesh’s health system.
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Rose Duesterwald October 14, 2026
