As measles cases continue to rise in Chattogram, local health facilities are unable to carry out tests due to a shortage of kits, forcing authorities to send samples to Dhaka.
Officials said even the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, which has the required laboratory facilities, is currently not conducting tests because of the shortage.
According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, four new measles cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the district to 12. During the same period, 16 more patients with similar symptoms were admitted to hospitals, raising the number of hospitalised cases to 87.
Health workers collected 32 samples in the past day and sent them to the National Polio and Measles-Rubella Laboratory for testing. In total, 155 samples from Chattogram have been sent to Dhaka so far.
Doctors said measles can often be identified based on symptoms such as fever, cough and rash, even without laboratory tests. Dr Mamunur Rashid noted that most cases are diagnosed clinically.
Despite having modern equipment, BITID is unable to run tests without the required kits. Authorities said they have already requested supplies from Dhaka and testing will begin once they are received.
Health officials warned that quick access to testing will be important if the number of cases continues to increase.
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