Bangladesh is currently facing one of its worst measles outbreaks in recent years, with more than 100 children reported dead and thousands of suspected infections in just weeks.

The surge has triggered emergency vaccination drives and raised global concern about gaps in immunisation systems.

According to recent reports, over 900 confirmed cases and more than 7,500 suspected infections have been recorded since March 2026, with the outbreak affecting a majority of districts across the country.

Health experts warn that this crisis is not an isolated event but part of a broader global trend, where even small disruptions in vaccination coverage can lead to deadly outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles. So, what caused this sudden and deadly surge in Bangladesh?

Here are a few key factors driving the outbreak.At the heart of the outbreak lies a critical issue, gaps in vaccination coverage.

Health authorities say many affected children were either unvaccinated or had missed routine immunisation doses, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

The WHO notes that at least 95% vaccination coverage with two doses is required to prevent measles outbreaks. Even small declines can allow the virus to spread rapidly.

Source:Ndtv