Dengue Outbreak in Bangladesh: Situation Worsens as Death Toll Climbs to 138

Strategic Insights -

A severe dengue outbreak has gripped Bangladesh, with the country witnessing a significant spike in infections and fatalities. As of September 25, the total number of dengue cases had reached 26,555, resulting in 138 deaths. The majority of the affected patients are from the two city corporations of Dhaka, followed by Chattogram and Barishal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The dengue season began in July this year, resulting in 12 deaths and 2,669 infections, with the situation worsening in August, with 27 fatalities and 6,521 new cases.
  • In the current month, the total number of dengue cases has reached 26,555, with the death toll climbing to 138, with 52.2% of the deaths being women and 47.8% being men.
  • Prof. Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, warned that the dengue situation is likely to worsen without special measures and urged for evidence-based integrated mosquito management strategies and a shift from a job-oriented to a service-oriented mindset among responsible agencies.
  • The expert also suggested crash programs within 200 meters of houses where there are dengue patients, destroying flying Aedes mosquitoes and larvae.
  • The majority of the dengue patients reside in Dhaka, specifically in areas such as Maniknagar, Basabo, Golapbagh, Dakshin Mugda, Mirpur, and Manda, with hospitals in the city struggling to accommodate the patients.
  • A.F. Hassan Ariff, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Land, said instructions were given to all city corporations and municipalities to combat the spread of dengue by regularly monitoring and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
  • Efforts to prevent dengue nationwide have included the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds and the application of larvicide in 906 locations, with inspections carried out at 18,733 sites across the country, and 508 of those in City Corporation areas.
  • To combat the dengue outbreak this season, 2,689 mosquito control workers are actively engaged in all city corporations and at-risk municipalities, with the local government department forming 10 teams to address the ongoing dengue situation.
  • Regular larviciding and adulticiding efforts are in place to control dengue by eliminating Aedes mosquito larvae and targeting adult mosquitoes, with special mosquito control activities conducted based on the reports of dengue patients admitted in various hospitals in the area.

Statistics:

  • 50% of the total hospitalized Dengue patients are from the two city corporations of Dhaka, followed by Chattogram and Barishal.
  • The dengue season began in July this year, resulting in 12 deaths and 2,669 infections.
  • In August, the situation worsened, with 27 fatalities and 6,521 new cases.
  • In the current month, the total number of dengue cases has reached 26,555, with the death toll climbing to 138.
  • 52.2% of the dengue-related deaths were women and 47.8% were men.
  • 2,000 patients visited the hospitals, with about 100 currently receiving treatment, with the majority of these patients residing in Dhaka.
  • 18,733 inspections were carried out across the country, with 508 of those in City Corporation areas and 74 identified as vulnerable municipal areas.
  • 2,689 mosquito control workers are actively engaged in all city corporations and at-risk municipalities.

Sources:

  • Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
  • Prof. Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University
  • A.F. Hassan Ariff, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Land
  • DSCC Administrator Dr. Mohd Sher Ali
  • DNCC administrator