Humayun and Liza have only one child, Aria Moni. She was just five months old. After contracting measles, she was admitted last Monday to the measles isolation ward at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). As her condition deteriorated, doctors could no longer save her. The infant died on Tuesday afternoon.

The loss of their only child left the parents devastated. Their cries echoed through the hospital corridors, creating a heartbreaking atmosphere. Similar scenes are now being witnessed almost daily in measles isolation wards across several hospitals in the country. The number of deaths linked to measles and measles-like symptoms has already exceeded 400.

Despite the launch of special vaccination campaigns, the situation has not improved significantly. The concern is that infants below nine months of age, those still too young to receive the vaccine, are accounting for the highest number of deaths. In this context, public health experts say that the immunity levels of mothers must also be thoroughly researched.

According to data from the Dhaka Divisional Health Office, 44 confirmed measles deaths have been recorded in the division. Analysis of 32 of those deaths shows that 18 victims were under nine months old. Three children aged between nine and eleven months died, along with six children aged one to two years, one child aged two to four years, two children aged five to nine years, and two children under the age of 14 to 15 years.

Meanwhile, an analysis of data collected by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) from 21 districts found that among 60 children who died after confirmed measles infections, 29 died before reaching nine months of age. Of them, 15 infants were only six months old or younger.

Senior public health expert Dr Abu Jamil Faisel told Bonik Barta, “The most worrying aspect of this year’s measles outbreak is that infants below nine months are also becoming infected, and they are the ones dying most frequently. This indicates that babies aren’t developing sufficient immunity against measles while still in their mothers’ wombs.”

Emphasising the need for research into the issue, he added, “Maternal malnutrition and deficiencies in vitamins and micronutrients could be major reasons behind this. Limited consumption of vegetables, small fish, and local fruits may also contribute to these deficiencies.”

“Many infants are also not receiving adequate breastfeeding. As exclusive breastfeeding declines among working mothers, babies aren’t receiving the necessary antibodies. As a result, they become physically weak. Once infected with measles, they quickly develop complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and respiratory distress, which can lead to death,” he further noted.

Measles-rubella vaccination for children begins at the age of nine months. However, a large proportion of infected children at present are below that age. Normally, the initial immunity developed in a child’s body while in the mother’s womb provides protection against various infectious diseases for at least the first six months after birth. But now even infants aged three to four months are contracting measles and dying from it.

This has raised concerns that babies are not receiving adequate immunity during pregnancy. Maternal malnutrition or weak immunity may be one of the major reasons behind this situation, according to experts.

Dr FA Asma Khan, superintendent of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, said, “Many of the children who are becoming infected and dying aren’t yet old enough to receive the vaccine. Again, many recover and return home, but later die after being infected with other illnesses. Most of the affected children have extremely weak immune systems.”

She added that icddr,b will conduct research to investigate the causes behind the rising measles outbreak. The immune systems of mothers of infected children will also be examined. Sample collection from the Infectious Diseases Hospital is expected to begin immediately after Eid.

According to data from the Infectious Diseases Hospital as of Wednesday, 59 children are currently admitted there. 1,048 children have received treatment at the hospital till yesterday, of whom 881 have recovered and returned home. In total, 38 children have died with measles-like symptoms, while seven deaths from confirmed measles have been recorded.

Medical officer Dr Mahin Muntasin said, “A child’s health largely depends on the mother’s immunity. If a mother suffers from malnutrition, the child also fails to receive proper nutrition. As a result, they become more vulnerable to infectious diseases. More research is needed on this issue.”

Meanwhile, according to DGHS information released on Thursday, 155 new measles cases were detected in the last 24 hours (from 8 am Wednesday to 8 am today). During the same period, seven people died — six with measles-like symptoms and one from confirmed measles.

From March 15 until today, the total number of measles patients has reached 7,305. The total number of deaths linked to measles and measles-like symptoms stood at 439. Of them, 70 died from confirmed measles, while 369 died with measles-like symptoms.