Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, April 5, 2026 (BSS) - The Health Department of the division has, so 
far, confirmed measles-rubella infection cases in 11 children out of a total 
116 suspected children based on symptoms.
 
"Among them, seven children have been diagnosed with measles and four with 
rubella. However, no deaths have been reported from anywhere in the 
division," said Divisional Director (Health) Dr Md Gausul Azim Chowdhury.
 
With seven new measles-rubella infected patients in Dinajpur and Panchagarh 
districts during the last 24 hours, raising the number of suspected patients 
in this division to 116.
 
Of them, 25 suspected measles-rubella patients have been identified in 
Dinajpur district, 21 in Gaibandha, 19 in Rangpur, 16 in Nilphamari, 12 in 
Kurigram, 10 in Panchagarh, eight in Thakurgaon and five in Lalmonirhat 
district of the division. 
 
The measles outbreak in all eight districts of Rangpur division is 
comparatively low compared to some other regions of the country. 
 
The samples of every patient who comes to the district or upazila level 
hospitals with symptoms are being collected and sent for testing to Dhaka. 
 
So far, 93 out of a total of 116 suspected patients with measles-rubella 
symptoms have been admitted to the two medical college hospitals, district-
level hospitals and upazila health complexes of Rangpur division.
 
Of them, 63 children have recovered and returned home and 30 more are 
undergoing treatment. 
 
"Three patients are now undergoing treatments at government hospitals in 
Lalmonirhat, three in Dinajpur, three in Gaibandha, seven in Thakurgaon, 
three in Dinajpur Medical College Hospital and 11 in Rangpur Medical College 
Hospital," Dr Chowdhury said.
 
To combat the measles outbreak and prevent infection, patients admitted with 
symptoms are being treated in isolation rooms in hospitals. 
 
Head of the pediatric department of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital 
Professor Dr Ayesha Sultana said patients admitted with measles-rubella 
symptoms are being treated in the isolation measles corner. 
 
Many of them are recovering and returning home. However, as more new patients 
are admitted, another room is being prepared.
 
Divisional Health Director Gausul Azim Chowdhury said isolation corners have 
been opened for measles patients in two medical college hospitals, district 
hospitals and upazila health complexes of Rangpur division. 
 
Patients admitted with measles symptoms are being treated in these corners. 
Hopefully, there will be no problem in treating the infected patients.
 
"The regular measles-rubella vaccination programme is continuing in Rangpur 
division. Children who have not yet received the measles vaccine are being 
brought under this programme," he said. 
 
"So far, the measles-rubella infection situation in Rangpur division is 
completely under control," Gausul Azim Chowdhury added.