3 children die of measles symptoms in Barguna

Barguna Correspondent:   As the dengue outbreak continues, the measles scare has started again in Barguna. In the last 24 hours, three children have died in different hospitals in Dhaka with measles symptoms. They are Afifa and Juraiya of Barguna Sadar Upazila and Hasan of Patharghata. All of them are under 1 year old.

According to the Barguna Civil Surgeon's Office, 37 beds have been prepared for measles patients in this district. Out of which 30 beds have been prepared in Barguna Sadar and 7 beds in five other upazilas.

In this regard, Dr. Mehedi Parvez, Junior Consultant (Children) of Barguna Sadar Hospital, said that the measles outbreak has been occurring in this district since the middle of last month and an average of 20 patients with suspected measles symptoms come to the outpatient department every day. Serious patients are being treated while being admitted and if complications arise, they are being sent elsewhere for better treatment.

Dr., Superintendent of Barguna General Hospital, said that the district has been facing a measles outbreak since the middle of last month. Rezwanur Alam said that 10 new people were admitted with suspicious symptoms till 12 noon on Saturday (April 4). Out of the 149 people admitted to the hospital, 24 were diagnosed with measles and 1 with rubella, and samples of 73 were collected and sent to Dhaka. Currently, health officials are struggling to provide medical services as the number of patients is increasing.

In this regard, Barguna Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammad Abul Fattah told Jugantor that no measles patient has died in any hospital in Barguna. Three have died in various hospitals in Dhaka. But these patients are from our Barguna. All are under 1 year old.

He said that if a child has a high fever, cold or cough, they should be brought to the hospital quickly without neglecting it. If proper treatment and isolation are ensured, it is possible to control the disease. We currently have 40,000 doses on hand for measles patients in Barguna Sadar.

BP/TD