Bangladesh’s prolonged measles outbreak has claimed another eight lives, taking the combined number of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 902 since the outbreak began in March, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

All eight latest deaths were recorded among patients showing symptoms of measles. The DGHS has categorised them as suspected measles deaths.

The latest figures indicate that the outbreak is still taking a heavy toll despite ongoing treatment efforts. Of the 902 deaths recorded since March 15, 803 involved patients with measles-like symptoms, while 99 were confirmed measles deaths.

In the 24 hours up to 8am on Saturday, 728 new patients developed symptoms consistent with measles, while laboratory tests confirmed the disease in another 70 people.

The latest update brings the cumulative number of suspected measles cases to 141,776 and confirmed infections to 17,800. Taken together, the number of confirmed and suspected cases has reached 159,576 since March 15.

Hospitals are also continuing to face a significant patient load. Around 700 patients with suspected measles were admitted during the latest 24-hour period, while 549 were discharged after treatment. Since March 15, a total of 123,494 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised nationwide, with 119,089 subsequently recovering and leaving hospitals.

Dhaka Division recorded six of the eight latest deaths, while the remaining two were reported from Sylhet Division. Dhaka district alone accounted for five deaths during the period.

The concentration of deaths in Dhaka and Sylhet comes as the two divisions continue to account for a substantial share of the country’s measles-related fatalities. Earlier DGHS figures showed Dhaka Division with the highest number of deaths among patients with measles-like symptoms, followed by Sylhet.

The pace at which fatalities are accumulating has also become a concern. An analysis of DGHS figures published by The Daily Star found that the latest 100 deaths were recorded within 23 days, compared with 26 days for the preceding 100 deaths.

With the outbreak continuing for months, the latest figures underline the pressure on Bangladesh’s health system as hundreds of new suspected cases and hospital admissions are being recorded every day.