Public health officials are sounding alarms over a global measles surge that has claimed at least 46 children's lives in Bangladesh.
Since late January, 684 cases have been confirmed in the country. Laboratory tests linked 15 deaths directly to measles infection, according to Bangladesh’s Health Services Division.
Bangladesh has adjusted its vaccine protocol as many cases are emerging in infants under 9 months, too young for routine immunization.
Globally, the World Health Organization advises two vaccine doses - at 9 months in high-risk regions, and 12-15 months elsewhere, with a second dose at 15-18 months.
In the U.S., the CDC reports 1,575 confirmed cases as of March 26, tied to 16 new outbreaks. Officials blame weakened herd immunity due to falling MMR vaccination rates below the 95% threshold.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a spreading rash starting near the hairline.
Measles spreads through airborne particles and can linger in spaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.