DHAKA: Bangladesh grapples with its worst outbreak of dengue in years, with more than 400 deaths as the longer monsoon season causes a surge in infections.
At least 415 people have died from the fever in 2024, with 79,984 patients admitted to hospitals nationwide, the latest Health Ministry data shows. Health officials reported 8 more deaths due to mosquito-borne dengue fever in the past 24 hours.
“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University told Reuters.
“Shifting weather patterns caused by climate change provided optimal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary carrier of the disease,” he added.
“These changes in the season are fostering ideal conditions for the mosquitoes to breed,” he pointed out.
Dense populations in cities aggravate the spread of dengue fever, which is usually more common in the monsoon season from June to September.
Increasing temperatures and longer monsoons, both linked to climate change, have provided favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, driving the rapid increase in the virus.
Renowned physician, Dr ABM Abdullah said deaths from dengue can be reduced to less than 1 percent if detected early and treated properly. “Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue,” he added.
Last year was the deadliest as far as the dengue crisis is concerned, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.
Health officials have advised to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites, such as mosquito repellents and bed nets. Doctors warn that delays in seeking treatment, especially among rural populations cause an increasing death toll.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) says dengue has emerged as the most widespread and rapidly increasing vector-borne disease in the world. It notes that of the 3.5 billion people around the world living in dengue-endemic countries and at risk of contracting dengue fever, 1.3 billion live in dengue-endemic areas in 10 countries of the South East Asia region.
It warns that five countries (India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand) are among the 30 most highly endemic countries in the world.
