DHAKA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has launched a nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign to contain a recent measles outbreak, aiming to reach nearly 18 million children.

Bangladeshi Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul inspected a temporary vaccination center in the capital, Dhaka, on Monday and inaugurated the drive.

Officials from the government's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) said the drive targets children aged 6 months to 5 years.

More than 1.1 million children are expected to be vaccinated on the first day of the campaign, they added.

The emergency campaign was designed following experts' recommendations to quickly control the spread of the disease and ensure protection for children at risk.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, two more deaths from suspected measles were recorded in the 24 hours by 8 a.m. Monday, raising the total deaths to 183. ■