Experts warn Bangladesh of risk of diphtheria, whooping cough and polio outbreaks amid measles epidemic

Measles as a litmus test for the vaccination system

The measles epidemic that has been ongoing in Bangladesh since March has already claimed the lives of more than 1,200 children and infected 220,000 people, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country in decades, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). AFP reports this, citing a report by an independent committee of national and international experts that conducted a study in early October. 'The measles outbreak is a litmus test and a warning signal of the degradation of the immunization system,' the report submitted to the government says. The authors warn that if urgent measures are not taken, it is 'only a matter of time' before major outbreaks of whooping cough, diphtheria, and even vaccine-derived poliovirus.

Causes and the authorities' response

A group of 70 specialists carried out a review of the immunization program earlier this month, supported by WHO, UNICEF, the Gavi alliance, and other partners. It found that only 82% of children are fully immunized — well below the national target of 95% — and that about 40% of vaccinator positions remain vacant. According to the report, the measles vaccination campaign planned for 2024 was derailed by the revolution that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while strikes and political instability also disrupted the 2025 campaign. For a long time, Bangladesh was considered a success story in immunization: since 1979, the country has eliminated polio and neonatal tetanus, and has brought rubella and hepatitis B under control. On Monday, the Health Ministry promised to act: 'We will hire vaccinators as quickly as possible as a first step in implementing the recommendations,' AFP quoted Zahid Raihan, a representative of the ministry, as saying. The authorities have already launched a mass vaccination campaign, but the number of cases continues to rise.

Why it matters

Measles is spread through the air and has no specific treatment; complications include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems, which are especially dangerous for young children. Whooping cough can cause severe illness and death in infants, diphtheria can make breathing difficult and damage the heart and nerves, and vaccine-derived poliovirus can cause paralysis in under-immunized populations. For Bangladesh, the practical consequence of the report is the announced emergency recruitment of vaccinators; for global health, the situation serves as a signal that disruptions in vaccination campaigns quickly open the door to other preventable diseases.