Bangladesh: Measles Outbreak Surges Nationwide – Vaccination Reinforcement in Rohingya Refugee Camps
A severe measles outbreak is surging across Bangladesh, particularly in Cox's Bazar, home to Rohingya refugee camps. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is intensifying medical aid, supporting vaccination efforts, and advocating for continuous investment in routine immunization programs to prevent further spread.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 23:28
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 15:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 15:47 (45 min after Collected)
Measles vaccination for children in Rohingya refugee camps = April 30, 2026 © MSF
A measles outbreak is surging across Bangladesh. In response, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has intensified its medical assistance in Cox's Bazar, where Rohingya refugee camps are located. MSF is treating infected children in the camps and surrounding host communities, and also supporting local health authorities with vaccination efforts. MSF emphasizes that high vaccination coverage is key to preventing measles outbreaks, and therefore, continuous investment in routine immunization programs is essential, not just vaccinations conducted during outbreaks.
Overcrowded Camps with High Risk of Infection Spread
In Bangladesh, measles cases have surged since January 2026, affecting almost all 64 districts nationwide. Cox's Bazar, home to over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and the world's largest refugee settlement, is one of the highest-risk areas. Overcrowded and unstable living conditions make it easier for infections to spread and become severe among already vulnerable populations.
According to health authority data, over 330 suspected measles cases and over 40 confirmed cases have been reported within the camps, with 3 fatalities. In the surrounding host communities, approximately 160 suspected cases have been identified.
Meike Stintsen, MSF's Medical Coordinator in Bangladesh, states:
"Several measles cases were reported in this district since the beginning of this year, but they surged from March and accelerated further in April. MSF has scaled up its activities both inside and outside the camps, providing medical assistance to those infected. Most of them are children under five, many suffering from severe pneumonia."
In April alone, MSF treated 284 measles patients in Cox's Bazar. This number is four times the total treated from January to March this year. Of these, 82 patients had severe conditions requiring hospitalization.
"On April 19, we opened a new isolation ward in Jamtoli Camp. This serves as a hub for patients from all camps. However, it has already reached its capacity, so we are preparing to double the number of beds."
The high proportion of patients with severe conditions is also a concern. At Goyalmara Mother and Child Hospital, 40% of measles patients required hospitalization, with some needing intensive care. At Kutupalong Hospital, out of 71 patients admitted over a 20-day period, 15 had severe symptoms requiring hospitalization.
A clinic in the camp attending to measles patients = April 30, 2026 © MSF
Measles is Preventable by Vaccination
The extremely harsh living conditions in the camps increase the risk of complications and co-morbidities for Rohingya children. Furthermore, low vaccination rates within the camps and surrounding areas remain a significant concern.
"Approximately three-quarters of those confirmed with measles in the camps had not been vaccinated. The proportion of unvaccinated children in the host communities is also very concerning. Vaccination efforts need to be strengthened," says Stintsen.
To urgently curb the spread of infection, MSF is supporting the vaccination campaign initiated by health authorities in the Rohingya refugee camps on April 26. Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world, spread by airborne droplets, making a rapid response crucial. Measles particularly affects children, and in overcrowded environments with limited access to healthcare, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, malnutrition, and even death.
Stintsen further states:
"This disease can be prevented by two doses of a safe, low-cost, and highly effective vaccine. However, to prevent outbreaks, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. As the current situation shows, vaccination rates are still too low in both the camps and surrounding areas. Continuous investment in routine immunization programs, alongside mass vaccination campaigns in response to outbreaks, is essential. Neither alone is sufficient."
In Cox's Bazar, MSF is treating measles patients and conducting health promotion activities at multiple facilities within and around the Rohingya refugee camps, including clinics in Jamtoli and Hakimpara, Hilltop Hospital, Kutupalong Hospital, and Goyalmara Mother and Child Hospital. Since January 1, MSF has treated 350 suspected or confirmed measles patients, 103 of whom had complications.
A measles outbreak is surging across Bangladesh. In response, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has intensified its medical assistance in Cox's Bazar, where Rohingya refugee camps are located. MSF is treating infected children in the camps and surrounding host communities, and also supporting local health authorities with vaccination efforts. MSF emphasizes that high vaccination coverage is key to preventing measles outbreaks, and therefore, continuous investment in routine immunization programs is essential, not just vaccinations conducted during outbreaks.
Overcrowded Camps with High Risk of Infection Spread
In Bangladesh, measles cases have surged since January 2026, affecting almost all 64 districts nationwide. Cox's Bazar, home to over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and the world's largest refugee settlement, is one of the highest-risk areas. Overcrowded and unstable living conditions make it easier for infections to spread and become severe among already vulnerable populations.
According to health authority data, over 330 suspected measles cases and over 40 confirmed cases have been reported within the camps, with 3 fatalities. In the surrounding host communities, approximately 160 suspected cases have been identified.
Meike Stintsen, MSF's Medical Coordinator in Bangladesh, states:
"Several measles cases were reported in this district since the beginning of this year, but they surged from March and accelerated further in April. MSF has scaled up its activities both inside and outside the camps, providing medical assistance to those infected. Most of them are children under five, many suffering from severe pneumonia."
In April alone, MSF treated 284 measles patients in Cox's Bazar. This number is four times the total treated from January to March this year. Of these, 82 patients had severe conditions requiring hospitalization.
"On April 19, we opened a new isolation ward in Jamtoli Camp. This serves as a hub for patients from all camps. However, it has already reached its capacity, so we are preparing to double the number of beds."
The high proportion of patients with severe conditions is also a concern. At Goyalmara Mother and Child Hospital, 40% of measles patients required hospitalization, with some needing intensive care. At Kutupalong Hospital, out of 71 patients admitted over a 20-day period, 15 had severe symptoms requiring hospitalization.
A clinic in the camp attending to measles patients = April 30, 2026 © MSF
Measles is Preventable by Vaccination
The extremely harsh living conditions in the camps increase the risk of complications and co-morbidities for Rohingya children. Furthermore, low vaccination rates within the camps and surrounding areas remain a significant concern.
"Approximately three-quarters of those confirmed with measles in the camps had not been vaccinated. The proportion of unvaccinated children in the host communities is also very concerning. Vaccination efforts need to be strengthened," says Stintsen.
To urgently curb the spread of infection, MSF is supporting the vaccination campaign initiated by health authorities in the Rohingya refugee camps on April 26. Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world, spread by airborne droplets, making a rapid response crucial. Measles particularly affects children, and in overcrowded environments with limited access to healthcare, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, malnutrition, and even death.
Stintsen further states:
"This disease can be prevented by two doses of a safe, low-cost, and highly effective vaccine. However, to prevent outbreaks, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. As the current situation shows, vaccination rates are still too low in both the camps and surrounding areas. Continuous investment in routine immunization programs, alongside mass vaccination campaigns in response to outbreaks, is essential. Neither alone is sufficient."
In Cox's Bazar, MSF is treating measles patients and conducting health promotion activities at multiple facilities within and around the Rohingya refugee camps, including clinics in Jamtoli and Hakimpara, Hilltop Hospital, Kutupalong Hospital, and Goyalmara Mother and Child Hospital. Since January 1, MSF has treated 350 suspected or confirmed measles patients, 103 of whom had complications.