Bangladesh was warned at least 10 times about massive measles outbreak: UNICEF

DHAKA: (May 20) As the death toll due to measles touched 500, UNICEF on Wednesday claimed it had warned the interim government of Muhammad Yunus at least “10 times” about the impending outbreak following procedural delays in vaccine procurement.

The comments by UNICEF representative in Dhaka Rana Flowers came on a day government data showed that there were 481 deaths since March due to measles or its symptoms as of date even as the viral disease claimed six children in the past 24 hours while 1,270 others were diagnosed afresh with symptoms.

“We raised concerns over the vaccine shortage in at least 10 meetings with the government since 2024, alongside sending five to six formal letters,” UNICEF's Flowers told a press conference on the measles issue here.