Dhaka, March 30 -- Measles is spreading rapidly in the Rajshahi Division, with at least 47 children dying of the disease over the last few months.

Of them, 29 have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital alone.

The high number of cases in the Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi and Pabna districts has caused panic among the public.

The Directorate General of Health Services has instructed all hospitals to set up separate isolation wards for children affected by the deadly outbreak. Health experts have called for ensuring rapid vaccination drives and raising awareness.

Rajshahi Divisional Health Director Md Habibur Rahman said that samples of 246 children in the division have been tested with the help of the World Health Organization. Of them,...