Health Desk:

Six more people have died of suspected measles in the country in the last 24 hours, while 1,239 new suspected cases and 77 confirmed cases were reported during the period.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has disclosed the figures in a press release issued on Tuesday.

The data covers the period between 8:00am on 14 September and 8am on 15 September.

With the latest figures, the number of suspected measles cases recorded across the country since 15 March has risen to 173,959, while confirmed cases reached 20,201.

The death toll from suspected measles has increased to 936, including 100 deaths from confirmed measles, according to the DGHS data.

So far, 153,279 people with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals, of whom 147,386 have recovered and been discharged.

Of the six deaths reported in the last 24 hours, four were in Dhaka Division, while Sylhet and Chattogram recorded one each.

The division-wise death toll from suspected measles stands at 423 in Dhaka, 162 in Sylhet, 93 in Rajshahi, 77 in Mymensingh, 71 in Chattogram, 57 in Barishal, 39 in Khulna and 14 in Rangpur.

Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of new cases in the last 24 hours, with 430 suspected and 54 confirmed cases reported. During the period, 367 patients were admitted to hospitals and 301 were discharged.

In Chattogram Division, 266 suspected and 15 confirmed cases were identified, with 266 patients admitted and 231 discharged.

Sylhet Division reported 197 suspected cases, while 193 patients were admitted to hospitals.

The DGHS also reported 119 suspected and six confirmed cases in Barishal Division, 98 suspected cases in Khulna, 82 in Mymensingh, 28 suspected and two confirmed cases in Rajshahi, and 19 suspected cases in Rangpur.

Meanwhile, 18,015,064 people have received the measles-rubella vaccine against a nationwide target of 19,791,427, according to the DGHS. The reported coverage rate stands at 109.9 per cent.

Among the divisions, Mymensingh recorded the highest vaccination coverage at 115.1 per cent, followed by Barishal at 104.5 per cent.

In 12 city corporation areas, 2,075,513 people have been vaccinated against a target of 1,905,950, taking coverage to 108.9 per cent.

Gazipur City Corporation recorded the highest coverage among city corporations at 116.4 per cent, while Rangpur City Corporation achieved 100 per cent coverage.