Goa, Sept. 9 -- A suspected measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed nearly 1,000 people so far this year, with children making up a large share of those affected. The country has recorded more than 166,000 suspected cases and 19,835 laboratory-confirmed infections since March, according to health authorities.

The outbreak began intensifying in March, when more than 100 children died within a month. The government, along with the WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, launched an emergency vaccination drive targeting children aged six months to five years before expanding it nationwide.

Health experts say disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and gaps in routine immunisation have left thousands of children vulnerable. A vaccination campaign planned ...