
Bangladesh Measles Crisis: 1,200 Deaths and 214,000 Cases Expose Global Vaccination Failures
Bangladesh is facing the world's worst measles outbreak, with over 214,000 suspected cases and 1,201 deaths since March 2026. The crisis stems from a drop in vaccination coverage below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, exacerbated by political turmoil in 2024-2025 that disrupted routine immunization programs. Despite an emergency drive vaccinating over 20 million children, gaps in data and outreach left millions unprotected, particularly in remote areas. Experts warn this serves as a critical lesson for other nations, including Canada, which recently lost its measles elimination status due to similar declines in immunization rates.






