Infant admitted with measles symptoms dies at CMCH

A five-and-a-half-month-old, admitted with symptoms of measles, died while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) today.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammed Jahangir Alam confirmed the death.

The infant, identified as Aisha Siddika from Jhilong in Cox’s Bazar, was brought to CMCH last night. Due to her critical condition, she was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she passed away this morning, said Jahangir.

The civil surgeon also said that although the child exhibited classic symptoms of measles, the cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed.

“We have collected samples and sent those to the laboratory of the Institute of Public Health in Dhaka for testing to determine if it was indeed measles," Jahangir said.

According to the Civil Surgeon’s office in Chattogram, as of 10:00 am today, seven patients have tested positive for measles and one for Rubella.

A total of 29 patients are currently admitted to various hospitals in the district with measles-like symptoms, said the civil surgeon, adding that samples from 75 symptomatic patients have been sent to Dhaka for lab analysis.

Over 24 hours (till 10:00 am today), four patients were discharged from hospitals after their condition improved.

Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely and urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated.