Six-Month-Old Infant Battles Concurrent Dengue and Measles Infection at Dhaka Children Hospital
Photo Collected
DHAKA — A six-month-old infant is currently fighting a dual health crisis after being diagnosed with both measles and dengue at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The patient, Farista Noor, represents a growing concern among medical professionals as the country grapples with overlapping outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Farista Noor was admitted to the facility last Thursday. According to medical staff, the infant exhibits characteristic symptoms of measles, including skin rashes, while concurrent laboratory tests have confirmed a dengue infection. Professor Mirza Md. Ziaul Islam, director of the hospital, stated that the medical team is maintaining close monitoring of the infant’s condition and has Intensive Care Unit facilities on standby should her health deteriorate.
The infant’s mother, Nila Begum, a resident of Madanpur in Narayanganj, reported that the child had previously been treated at the same hospital for pneumonia in July. Shortly after returning home, the infant developed persistent fevers before testing positive for dengue, followed by the appearance of measles symptoms. Nila Begum noted that her other children are fully vaccinated, leaving the source of the infections unclear.
Professor Abid Hossain Mollah, a prominent pediatrician and former head of the pediatric department at Dhaka Medical College, emphasized that the infant requires constant observation. He stressed the importance of balancing fluid management with respiratory support, noting that both conditions must be addressed with equal urgency.
Hospital statistics indicate a shifting burden of disease at the facility. While measles admissions have seen a gradual decline from May through July—with 145 patients admitted in July—the number of dengue cases is on the rise, increasing from 10 cases in May to 49 in July. To date, the hospital has treated 2,131 measles patients and 150 dengue patients this year.
National health authorities released data indicating that over the 24-hour period ending Sunday morning, six people died with symptoms of measles, bringing the total death toll related to measles symptoms to 873 this year. Meanwhile, 672 new dengue patients were hospitalized across the country, with two reported deaths. Since January, the nation has recorded 19,345 dengue hospitalizations and 61 deaths.
Between March 15 and Sunday, approximately 136,320 people sought medical care for symptoms related to measles, with 17,115 cases confirmed. Cumulative data shows 775 deaths among those with measles-like symptoms, including 98 confirmed measles cases.
Professor Ziaul Islam urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant. He advised that families must prioritize vaccination schedules, strictly adhere to hygiene protocols, and ensure children are protected from mosquito bites. He added that any signs of illness should be met with immediate professional medical consultation to prevent further complications.
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