Bangladesh has recorded 227 child deaths and nearly 35,000 suspected measles cases since March 15, in one of the country’s worst outbreaks in decades, government data showed on Wednesday.

The hardest-hit areas include remote Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, bordering war-torn Myanmar. Health officials, supported by UNICEF, the WHO and security forces, are working to vaccinate children across affected regions.

How serious is the Bangladesh measles outbreak in 2026?

The outbreak has killed 227 children and produced 34,980 suspected cases since March 15, mostly among children aged between six months and five years.

It is one of the worst measles surges Bangladesh has seen in decades. The scale reflects persistent gaps in vaccination coverage, particularly in rural and remote communities.

Why are children in the Chittagong Hill Tracts so vulnerable to measles?

Kurukpata, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, is among the most severely affected areas. District health chief Sheikh Fazle Rabbi told AFP that more than 80 children had been treated for measles there, describing it as “one of the remotest parts of Bangladesh.”

Children in these rural areas are frequently missed by vaccination programs, and some families avoid them out of fear.

Local council head Kratpung Mro said case numbers were unusually high and called on the government to launch awareness programs and bring Indigenous communities under vaccination coverage. Physical access is a major barrier.

“Communication from Kurukpata is difficult,” he said. “People, mostly farmers, are among the poorest and cannot afford even boat or motorcycle fares to reach the hospital.”

Farmer Ngangoi Mro, 30, described walking four kilometers with his two-year-old son Rengle, who was suffering from high fever, cough and diarrhea, before finding a vehicle to continue to hospital. “My boy became very weak,” he told AFP.

Cases like his reflect the strain placed on families in areas where health facilities are distant and transport costly.

What is measles and why is it so dangerous for young children?

Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, spread through coughs and sneezes, according to the World Health Organization. It can affect people of any age but is most common and most dangerous among young children.

Complications can include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems, which contribute to its high fatality rate in under-vaccinated populations.