Bangladesh, April 17 -- A fast-spreading measles outbreak is tightening its grip across the country, killing at least 206 people in just over a month and exposing serious gaps in vaccination coverage, as overcrowded hospitals struggle to cope with a rising influx of critically ill children.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), fatalities between March 15 and April 16 have reached 206.

In the latest 24-hour update, two deaths were confirmed through laboratory tests, while six more were linked to suspected infections. Of the total deaths, 34 have been confirmed as measles, and 172 classified as suspected cases.

Health officials described the situation as one involving "irregularities" in immunisation and monito...