Rangpur: Out of a total of 403 children identified as suspected based on symptoms, the health department has confirmed measles-rubella infection in 17 children in Rangpur division. “Among them, 13 children have been diagnosed with measles and four with rubella. However, no deaths have been reported from anywhere in the division,” stated Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Md Gausul Azim Chowdhury.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, with 22 new patients showing symptoms of measles-rubella identified in Kurigram, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, and Thakurgaon districts in the last 24 hours, the number of suspected patients in this division has risen to 403. Out of these, 41 suspected measles-rubella patients have been identified in Rangpur, 15 in Lalmonirhat, seven in Kurigram, 64 in Nilphamari, 70 in Dinajpur, 30 in Gaibandha, 68 in Thakurgaon, 29 in Panchagarh, 34 at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, and 44 at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital in 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 to Dhaka for testing. So far, 403 suspected patients with measles-rubella symptoms have been treated either as outpatients or admitted to the two medical college hospitals, district-level hospitals, and upazila health complexes of Rangpur division.
Out of these suspected cases, 369 children have recovered, been released, and returned home, while 34 more are undergoing treatment. Currently, three patients are receiving treatment at government hospitals in Lalmonirhat, one in Rangpur, three in Kurigram, four in Nilphamari, three in Dinajpur, five in Gaibandha, three in Thakurgaon, three in Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, and nine in Rangpur Medical College and Hospital in the division.
Isolation corners have been established for measles-rubella 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 designated areas.