Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, April 5, 2026 (BSS)- An outbreak of the infectious disease measles 
has been detected in 26 areas of the Rajshahi division.
 
Vaccination began in 10 upazilas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, 
Natore and Pabna districts in the division on Sunday. Vaccines are being 
administered in areas with higher infection rates, and the programme will 
gradually expand to all upazilas.
 
The 10 upazilas where measles vaccination is being carried out include 
Godagari in Rajshahi; Shibganj, Sadar, and Bholahat in Chapainawabganj; 
Natore Sadar; Porsha in Naogaon; and Ishwardi, Sadar, Atgharia, and Bera in 
Pabna districts. 

In Rajshahi, the campaign was inaugurated at 9:00 am today at the Matikata 
Community Clinic in Godagari Upazila, where Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul 
Islam officially launched the programme by releasing balloons and pigeons.

The programme will continue daily for the next three weeks from 9:00 am to 
5:00 pm.
 
Health officials said that this special vaccination campaign will play a 
crucial role in ensuring protection for children against measles.
 
The campaign, initially used 38,590 doses of vaccines already in stock in 
Rajshahi. This time, children as young as six months old are also being 
brought under vaccination coverage.
 
According to the health department, areas with multiple confirmed cases are 
being classified as outbreak zones.

So far, 26 such areas have been identified in the Rajshahi division. Although 
most of the infected are children under six months of age, adults are also 
being infected.
 
Sources from the Divisional Health Director's office said that between the 
second week of March and April 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) tested 
520 samples from various hospitals in the Rajshahi division. 
 
The highest spread has been recorded in Pabna (10 areas), followed by 
Rajshahi (six areas, including five in the metropolitan area), Naogaon 
(five), Chapainawabganj (three), and one area each in Natore and Sirajganj.
 
Doctors report that most hospitalized children are under six months old. 
Around 65 percent of children are being infected before reaching nine months 
of age, which is alarming. 

However, not only children but also adults are infected. Several adult 
patients, including a 50-year-old rickshaw puller, are currently undergoing 
treatment in hospitals.
 
Dr. Shankar Kumar Biswas, spokesperson for Rajshahi Medical College and 
Hospital (RMCH), said that the number of measles patients is increasing 
daily.
 
As of last Saturday morning, 149 patients were admitted. A 40-bed isolation 
ward has been opened for patients, and separate isolation corners have been 
set up in pediatric wards. If the situation worsens, there are plans to 
convert entire wards into isolation units.
 
He also said that the number of beds in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 
(PICU) has been increased from 12 to 18, with 12 beds allocated specifically 
for measles patients. 

Additionally, to ensure PICU services for infected children, patients are 
being referred to the Heart Foundation in Rajshahi, where treatment is being 
provided under the supervision of RMCH.
 
Dr. Shahida Yasmin, head of the pediatric department at RMCH, said that 
affected children are coming not only from Rajshahi but also from Rangpur and 
Khulna divisions.
 
Since the first case was detected in January, the situation has expanded 
significantly. Isolation corners have been set up in wards 10 and 24, and an 
entire ward has been designated for measles-infected children.
 
About 60-65 percent of the infected are children under six months of age, 
making the situation more risky, she said, adding, "If patient numbers 
continue to rise, the existing isolation arrangement may come under 
pressure."
 
Dr. FAM Anjuman Ara Begum, chief health officer of Rajshahi City Corporation 
(RCC), said that although no new supply of measles-rubella vaccines has 
arrived, children aged 9 months and 15 months are continuing to receive 
vaccines under the routine immunization programme.
 
In the first phase, vaccination began in several upazilas, followed by the 
city corporation areas. Parents must remain aware and ensure timely 
vaccination of their children.
 
Associate Professor Dr. Benzir Ahmed from the Pediatric Department of RMCH 
said that measles is a highly contagious viral disease that weakens the 
immune system of children, potentially leading to complications such as 
pneumonia. Even after recovery, there remains a risk of reinfection.
 
He emphasized that timely treatment and effective isolation are crucial, 
especially for children under five. 

However, delayed hospital visits and failure to maintain proper isolation 
remain major challenges.
 
Divisional Health Director Dr. Habibur Rahman said that measles will not 
spread like COVID-19, as vaccines are now available from the outset. If 
vaccination is implemented effectively, infection rates can be reduced, and 
even children under six months can be protected, he added.
 
He further said that areas with multiple detected cases are being treated as 
outbreak zones, and special emphasis will be given to vaccination in those 
areas. 

Targets have been set at the upazila level, and it is hoped that the campaign 
will achieve full success.