Health experts in Chattogram have called for extensive research following a worrying surge in measles infections among infants under nine months old.
Medical professionals said infants usually retain immunity passed from their mothers until they reach nine months, but the current outbreak appears to be defying this biological norm.
Dr AKM Rezaul Karim, former head of the paediatric department at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), described the situation as a “matter of grave concern”.
“While the exact cause requires rigorous study, we can point to several likely factors,” he said.
“If mothers are not immunised, either through vaccination or prior infection, or if infants are not exclusively breastfed, the risk of infection increases significantly.”
The impact is already visible at CMCH. Dr Muhammad Musa, current head of the paediatric department, said nearly 20 percent of measles patients admitted to his ward are under nine months old.
“Currently, 49 children with measles symptoms are admitted to CMCH. Four are in critical condition and have been moved to the ICU,” he said, adding that a five-and-a-half-month-old patient died at CMCH on Tuesday.
Photo: Rajib Raihan
He urged the government to consider lowering the vaccination age to protect infants under nine months during the current spike.
Experts are also examining possible biological factors behind the outbreak.
Dr Shahena Akter, former principal of Chittagong Medical College and professor of gynaecology, said maternal malnutrition and lack of maternal vaccination could be leaving infants vulnerable.
She stressed the need for research to determine whether the virus has mutated or if a new variant is driving the outbreak.
Photo: Rajib Raihan
Dr Fahmida Shirin, head of the gynaecology department at CMCH, pointed to social factors, noting that many children in rural areas remain unvaccinated due to a lack of parental awareness.
According to the Chattogram Civil Surgeon’s office, samples from 111 suspected patients had been sent to the Institute of Public Health in Dhaka for confirmation as of April 1.
“A total of 18 new patients were admitted to various hospitals in Chattogram in 24 hours (leading up to 6:00pm Wednesday),” said Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam.
