Bangladesh Grapples with Worst Dengue Outbreak in 22 Years

Strategic Insights -

The current dengue season in Bangladesh has seen a dramatic spike in cases, with 12 deaths and 2,669 infections reported in the month of July alone. The situation has worsened in August, resulting in 27 fatalities and 6,521 new cases. As of this month, the total number of dengue cases has reached 27,384, with 141 deaths attributed to the disease. The majority of the cases are concentrated in Dhaka city, with Prof Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, warning that the situation is likely to worsen without special measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 141 dengue-related deaths from January 1 to September 26, with 12 deaths and 2,669 infections reported in July, and 27 fatalities and 6,521 new cases in August.
  • The majority of dengue cases are concentrated in Dhaka city, particularly in areas such as Maniknagar, Basabo, Golapbagh, Dakshin Mugda, Mirpur, and Manda.
  • Prof Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University warned that the dengue situation is likely to worsen without special measures, and emphasized the need for evidence-based integrated mosquito management strategies and a shift from a job-oriented to a service-oriented mindset among responsible agencies.
  • The government has instructed all city corporations and municipalities to combat the spread of dengue by regularly monitoring and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
  • The local government department has taken steps to prevent dengue nationwide, including the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds and the application of larvicide in 906 locations, and has formed 10 teams to address the ongoing dengue situation.
  • A total of 2,689 mosquito control workers are actively engaged in all city corporations and at-risk municipalities to combat the dengue outbreak.

Statistics:

  • Total dengue cases as of this month: 27,384
  • Total dengue deaths from January 1 to September 26: 141
  • Number of dengue cases in July: 2,669
  • Number of dengue deaths in July: 12
  • Number of dengue cases in August: 6,521
  • Number of dengue fatalities in August: 27
  • Number of sites inspected for mosquito breeding grounds across the country: 18,733
  • Number of sites identified as vulnerable municipal areas: 74
  • Number of mosquito control workers engaged in city corporations and at-risk municipalities: 2,689
  • Total dengue cases recorded in Bangladesh since 2000: 244,246
  • Total dengue deaths recorded in Bangladesh since 2000: 853

Sources:

  • Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
  • Prof Kabirul Bashar, 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 (no name mentioned)