September Bangladesh is continuing to battle a major measles outbreak, with the combined number of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths reaching 1,096 by September 27, according to the country’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Nine additional children died with measles-like symptoms during the latest 24-hour reporting period. All nine deaths were classified as suspected measles deaths, meaning they had not been laboratory-confirmed as measles-related fatalities. Confirmed measles deaths remained at 101.

More Than 1,200 New Suspected Cases

The latest DGHS figures recorded 1,228 new suspected measles cases in the 24 hours up to 8 a.m. on September 27.

This pushed the cumulative number of suspected cases since March 15 to 188,041. An additional 113 laboratory-confirmed infections were recorded during the same period, taking the confirmed case count to 21,212.

The scale of the outbreak has placed considerable pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system.

Since March 15, more than 166,000 patients with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals, according to DGHS data. More than 159,000 of those patients had recovered and been discharged by September 27.

September Sees Another Rise

Bangladesh’s health authorities are facing renewed concern because measles transmission has remained high despite vaccination efforts.

The Daily Star reported that the average number of daily suspected measles cases during the first 26 days of September was around 1,229, higher than the average recorded during May. Daily hospital admissions also reached an average of approximately 1,072 during the period.

The figures indicate that transmission remains substantial as Bangladesh approaches the end of September.

Children Among the Most Affected

Children have accounted for a large proportion of the severe cases and deaths reported during the outbreak.

Earlier WHO analysis found that children under five represented the majority of reported cases during the initial phase of the outbreak, with particularly high vulnerability among young and under-vaccinated children. WHO identified immunity gaps as one of the factors contributing to continued transmission.

Measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia, diarrhoea, hearing loss, encephalitis and, in severe cases, death, particularly among young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Vaccination Campaign Underway

Bangladesh launched a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign earlier in 2026 after the outbreak expanded across the country.

WHO reported that the campaign initially targeted children between six and 59 months of age, with expanded measures for some younger children. Bangladesh also strengthened disease surveillance, hospital preparedness, infection-control measures and vitamin A supplementation for suspected and confirmed cases.

However, the continuing increase in cases indicates that significant immunity gaps remain in parts of the population.

Health Authorities Continue Monitoring

The latest figures are based on Bangladesh’s national surveillance system and include both suspected and laboratory-confirmed cases. The distinction is important because the combined death figure of 1,096 should not be interpreted as 1,096 laboratory-confirmed measles deaths.

As the outbreak continues, health authorities are focusing on vaccination, early detection, hospital treatment and preventing transmission in communities with low immunisation coverage.

The situation remains a major public-health concern, particularly because measles is highly contagious but can largely be prevented through effective vaccination coverage.