Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will begin an emergency nationwide measles vaccination campaign on Sunday, following a sharp rise in infections. Over the past 19 days, 5,792 people have been hospitalized with measles-like symptoms, including 771 confirmed cases and nine confirmed deaths. Another 94 deaths are suspected to be linked to the disease. The DGHS said high-risk districts such as Rajshahi will receive priority in the vaccination effort.

Officials reported that 947 new patients were admitted in the last 24 hours, with 42 confirmed measles cases. The DGHS has dispatched vaccines and arranged alternative syringe supplies, with half of the required funding already secured. The campaign will focus on children aged six months to five years, and areas with lower infection risk will receive vaccines through a rationing system.

According to DGHS data, Dhaka Division has the highest number of confirmed cases at 358, followed by Rajshahi with 194 and Chattogram with 102. Health authorities expect the emergency program to help bring the outbreak under control if implemented successfully.