Rajshahi Medical College Hospital Reports 42 Cumulative Fatalities Amid Sustained Pediatric Measles Outbreak

Two more children have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, bringing the measles-related death toll to 42 as 138 patients continue treatment.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 10:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Dhaka Tribune

The Rising Mortality Rate in Rajshahi

The clinical crisis at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has reached a sobering milestone as the facility struggles to contain a persistent surge in pediatric infections. Within a single 24-hour window, spanning from 8 am Sunday to 8 am Monday, two additional children succumbed to symptoms associated with measles. These recent fatalities have pushed the cumulative death toll at the hospital to 42, reflecting the severe nature of the current viral transmission cycle in the region. Hospital authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the volume of critically ill patients continues to put immense pressure on the facility's specialized pediatric units.

Current Patient Census and Hospital Capacity

Despite ongoing efforts to manage the influx, the number of children requiring active medical intervention remains high. As of Monday, 138 pediatric patients are undergoing treatment for measles-like symptoms within the hospital’s wards. This high census indicates that the virus is actively circulating within the community, consistently funneling new cases into the secondary care system. The persistent demand for bed space and medical resources has necessitated a constant rotation of care, as medical teams attempt to balance new arrivals with the stabilization of existing patients.

A Snapshot of Daily Hospital Admissions

The volatility of the outbreak is evidenced by the daily fluctuations in admission and discharge rates reported by hospital leadership. During the most recent reporting period, 20 new symptomatic children were admitted to RMCH, significantly outnumbering the five patients who were deemed recovered enough for discharge. This imbalance suggests that the outbreak has not yet reached its peak in the Rajshahi area, as the rate of new infections requiring hospitalization continues to outpace the rate of clinical recovery. Each new admission requires intensive monitoring to prevent the respiratory and neurological complications often associated with advanced measles symptoms.