Another child dies from measles in Rangamati

Another child has died of measles in Baghaichhari upazila, Rangamati taking the death toll to seven in the past 24 days, reports news agency UNB.

The deceased was identified as Kheti Rani Tripura, 13.

Civil surgeon Bipas Khisa said another child Mohen Tripura, 12, is in critical condition.

Earlier on Monday, another child Podorani Tripura, 9, died after suffering from measles.

Six medical teams have been working in three remote villages in Sajek, the civil surgeon said. A total of 18 doctors and nurses have been working to prevent the transmission of the disease, he added.

District health office on 20 March confirmed the deaths of five children suffering from measles, while 100 more were infected.

Among the deceased, three children died on 15, 16 and 17 March while two on 26 and 29 February.

In August, 2018, four children died of measles at a remote Tripura Palli on a hill in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram. Besides, nine children died at Tripura Palli on a hill in Sitakundu upazila of the district in July 2018.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

While vaccination has drastically reduced global measles deaths - a 73 per cent drop between 2000-2018 worldwide - it still is common in many developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

More than 140,000 people died worldwide from measles in 2018. The overwhelming majority (more than 95 per cent) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures.