Measles outbreak in Bangladesh kills nearly 400, raises U.S. concerns

A measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed nearly 400 people and is spreading rapidly, with health experts warning it could pose risks to the United States.

Most of the deaths have been children. Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services says the number of suspected cases has risen above 56,000, more than double the total recorded at the start of April. Hospitals across the country are overcrowded, with some patients treated on floors because of a shortage of beds.

Aid agencies say many of the infected children were either too young to be vaccinated or received only one dose. UNICEF's Miguel Mateos Muñoz told CBS News that a change in government vaccine supply created a three-year immunity gap. He said two doses are needed for full protection, but many children have received only one or none.

Measles is one of the world's most contagious viruses. It spreads through droplets that can remain in the air for hours. An unvaccinated person exposed to the virus has about a 90 percent chance of infection. The disease can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, permanent disability and death. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 100,000 people died from measles worldwide in 2024.

The outbreak has reached 58 of Bangladesh's 64 districts. Muñoz said the country's porous borders raise the risk of spread to neighboring countries.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 1,842 confirmed measles cases this year across 39 states and jurisdictions. That compares with 285 cases for all of 2024. Nearly 93 percent of this year's cases are linked to outbreaks. Vaccination coverage among kindergartners has fallen to 92 percent nationally, below the 95 percent threshold needed to prevent sustained transmission.

Public health researchers warn that continued outbreaks could push the U.S. past 12 months of uninterrupted spread, ending the measles elimination status declared in 2000. Canada lost its elimination status in late 2025 after a similar surge.

The CDC says most U.S. outbreaks start when an unvaccinated traveler returns from a country with a large outbreak. Mexico, Guatemala, parts of South Asia and Africa are all reporting significant measles activity.

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Céline Gounder said measles is her main concern for this summer's World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico and Canada are jointly hosting. She noted low vaccination rates in some U.S. communities could allow the virus to spread during the event.

Bangladesh's government, with support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, began an emergency vaccination campaign on May 5. Muñoz said the drive has already reached its target of vaccinating 18 million children. He said restoring routine immunization is the most important step to prevent future outbreaks.