Dead Sitakunda kids were suffering from measles: DGHS

Nine children, who died, showing similar symptoms, in Sitakunda of Chittagong recently, were suffering from measles, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The assertion came today after a medical team from Dhaka collected blood and serum samples from the affected children, and conducted laboratory tests.

READ MORE: Yet-to-be-identified Disease: 9 Sitakunda kids die in 4 days

“The disease spread out through measles virus. But it won’t further spread,” Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told The Daily Star following the tests.

Last reported, at least 87 children were also suffering from the same disease in remote hilly village Tripura Para area.

READ MORE: Medical team collects samples

Many of them were being treated at Chittagong Medical College Hospital while the rest at Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Disease in Fouzderhat.

Children aged between one and 12 started having fever a week ago. The other symptoms include body rash, breathing problems, vomiting and blood in stool, say locals and doctors.

Citing malnutrition of the children as one of the reasons for the disease, Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad also said that no one will likely to be infected with the virus.

“Treatment of the victims is underway,” he said asking the guardians not to be panicked over it.