Measles infections are decreasing in 30 hotspot upazilas, vaccination is yielding positive results

The government's special vaccination program to control measles infection across the country has started to have a positive impact. The number of measles cases has already decreased significantly in 30 upazilas of 18 districts identified as hotspots. The number of daily cases has dropped below double digits in most areas.

According to the Department of Health, a special vaccination program was started for children aged 5 to 59 months from April 5. Since then, the rate of new cases in the infection-prone areas has started to decrease rapidly.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that there are almost no measles patients in the upazilas identified as hotspots. He claimed that the measles situation across the country is now largely under control.

World Health Organization representative Dr. Chiranjit Das said that it usually takes two to three weeks for the effectiveness of the vaccine to be visible. Analysis has shown that the number of cases has started to decrease clearly since April 17, which is proof of the success of the vaccination program.

The Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider said it will take a few more weeks to get the full benefits of the vaccine, as the body needs time to produce antibodies to fight the disease.

The situation in the district is also improving. In Chapainawabganj, where around a hundred patients were once admitted to the hospital every day, the number has now come down to 8 to 10. Similar improvements are being seen in Natore and Pabna.

According to health experts, along with vaccination activities, increasing public awareness is also playing an important role in reducing the infection.