DHAKA: The government has identified ‘measles’ as the cause of 11 children’s death in Tripurapara of Chittagong’s Sitakunda upazila.

Prof Abul Kalam Azad, director general for Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), made the disclosure to reporters at the conference room of Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control & Research (IEDCR) on Monday afternoon (July 17).

He said though media reported the children’s death caused in unknown disease, it was actually measles, an infectious viral disease causing fever and a red rash on the skin, that caused the death.

Abul Kalam Azad said a total of 318 indigenous people live in that area who never sought any medical attention whatsoever. The first child, infected by measles, died on the night of July 8, two on July 9 and a total of 11 by July 12. Instead of seeking medical help, they prayed after the deaths.

After reports of deaths in unknown disease were published in news media, local civil surgeon inspected the area and confirmed the cause. The area is still not safe for children, he added.

BDST: 1850 HRS, JULY 17, 2017
AP