Dengue Outbreak in Bangladesh: Thousands Dead, 200K Infected, Hospitals Struggle

In Bangladesh, 1,017 people have lost their lives due to dengue in the last 9 months. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll has increased significantly in the current year, with 4 times more deaths compared to the previous year. This year, Bangladesh has witnessed the highest number of deaths due to dengue since the year 2000. During this time, a total of 209,000 people have been affected by the virus. Among the fatalities, 112 are individuals under the age of 15. Hospitals in Bangladesh are struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a doctor in Dhaka’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital, revealed that patients have been admitted for dengue multiple times, making their condition more severe. The situation remains critical with many deaths.

Bangladesh Has Been Battling Dengue Since 1960

Dengue cases have been documented in Bangladesh since 1960. In the year 2000, dengue was officially recognized as an epidemic in Bangladesh. The dengue virus has now become common among Bangladeshis, and every year, it becomes deadlier. Officials attribute the rise in cases to the lack of effective mosquito control measures, including the killing of larvae after rainfall. Jahangir Nagar University’s entomologist and professor Kabirul Bashar have said that suitable and comprehensive planning is required to eradicate dengue throughout Bangladesh. From 2000 to 2018, dengue was mostly confined to Dhaka, but in 2019, cases began to appear in other cities as well. Dengue-spreading mosquitoes have also reached rural areas.

WHO Warns that Changes in Climate Cause Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that diseases like dengue, as well as other mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya, malaria, and Zika virus, are spreading more rapidly due to changes in the environment. These diseases cannot be treated with a single drug. The diseases are being spread more aggressively by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water, and this has been happening between June and September in South Asia. Dengue can lead to symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, joint and muscle pain, and, in severe cases, can result in bleeding, which can be fatal.