Measles Outbreak Risk High in Bangladesh, WHO Warns of Urgent Immunisation Gaps
Apr 25, 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Bangladesh as facing a high risk of a measles outbreak, citing widespread immunity gaps and declining vaccination coverage. The agency has urged immediate action to prevent further spread as infections continue to rise across the country.
According to the latest WHO assessment, measles cases have been reported in 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, with children under five accounting for the majority of infections. Authorities have reported an estimated 240 suspected deaths this year, along with thousands of hospitalisations and a recent surge in confirmed cases.
Health experts attribute the outbreak primarily to low vaccination rates, with many affected children either unvaccinated or only partially immunised. The WHO also highlighted disruptions in routine immunisation services, shortages of measles-rubella vaccines between 2024 and 2025, and the absence of large-scale vaccination campaigns as key factors reversing previous progress toward measles elimination.
While a targeted vaccination drive has recently begun, the WHO warned that large segments of the population remain vulnerable to infection due to insufficient immunity coverage.
The agency also raised concerns over cross-border transmission risks, noting frequent population movement between Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. It has called on Bangladesh to achieve at least 95% vaccination coverage, strengthen disease surveillance systems, and deploy rapid response teams to contain outbreaks effectively.
