TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY

The country logged its highest single-day death toll from measles and measles-like symptoms, with 17 child deaths reported in the 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday.

Previously, the highest single‑day death toll was recorded on April 5, when 12 patients died.

Of the 17 deaths, two were confirmed measles cases while 15 were suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of these 15 suspected cases, two children died at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the 24 hours till 8:00am Sunday. As it was reported yesterday, the deaths were added to the latest toll, the DGHS clarified.

With these figures, the total number of deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms since March 15 has risen to 311.

The country saw relatively fewer deaths from confirmed and suspected cases in the week after April 26, averaging between one and seven a day. The number then rose sharply to 10 on Sunday and 17 yesterday.

The grim development comes as a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination drive is on to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease, which has led to a surge in child deaths in recent weeks.

According to health experts, measles, coupled with underlying illnesses and

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