At least 844 children have died and more than 112,000 people have sought hospital treatment for the preventable disease since March 15, according to health department figures.

Nine out of 10 families affected by measles were forced to borrow to cover medical expenses, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

"The effects of this measles health emergency do not end at the hospital door, as families often face severe financial hardship," said the IFRC chief in Dhaka, Alberto Bocanegra.

"Humanitarian assistance and strong social protection systems are both essential during public health emergencies," he added.

The groups assessed 2,746 families who sought medical treatment for their children at 12 government health facilities.

While hospital care is free, associated costs can quickly mount. Thirty-five percent of surveyed families needed financial support to pay for medicines, while 22 percent needed food assistance.

Many affected families come from poorer communities and rely on informal work, earning between $48 and $160 a month.

Families affected by the outbreak spent an average of more than $130 on treatment and related expenses, the assessment found.