Bangladesh’s measles outbreak is still spreading in all eight divisions. Between 15 March and 14 October 2026, the country recorded 208,570 suspected cases, 22,840 laboratory-confirmed cases and 185,390 measles-related hospital admissions, according to an operation update from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) published on 22 October.
Hospitals were admitting about 1,000 suspected measles patients a day in the reporting period, with a peak of 1,251 admissions on 8 October. The IFRC counts 1,073 suspected and 104 confirmed measles deaths since the outbreak began. Dhaka Division has the heaviest burden, followed by Chattogram and Barishal.
| Suspected cases (15 March to 14 October) | 208,570 |
| Laboratory-confirmed cases | 22,840 |
| Hospital admissions | 185,390 |
| Suspected deaths | 1,073 |
| Confirmed deaths | 104 |
| Peak daily admissions | 1,251 (8 October) |
In the Rohingya camps
Cases in the Cox’s Bazar camps are falling but transmission is still active. In epidemiological week 40, 149 suspected cases were reported, down from 301 at the peak in week 37. Since the start of 2026 the camps have recorded 2,939 suspected cases, including 2,344 confirmed, and 12 deaths.
Why it is happening
The IFRC says the outbreak is driven by immunity gaps built up over years of missed vaccinations and low routine coverage. Bangladesh has run several emergency and follow-up measles-rubella campaigns, but many children are still not protected.
For health and child-focused organisations, the figures point to three needs: reaching children who missed routine doses, keeping surveillance strong as cases fall, and supporting hospitals that have been under pressure for months.
Sources
Image: AI-generated illustration, not a photograph of real people or places.
Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it. Read our editorial standards.
