Severe Dengue Outbreak claims 1000 Lives in Bangladesh

In 2023 alone, 1000 people have died from dengue fever in Bangladesh.

This massive toll has marked the most severe outbreak of the disease in the country’s history, according to official reports.

This crisis has been exacerbated by unusually heavy monsoon rains, creating favourable conditions for the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in stagnant water.

Authorities have grappled with the daunting task of containing the rapid spread of the disease, leading to hospitals being pushed to their limits.

In severe cases, dengue can trigger internal bleeding, resulting in fatalities.

Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, and joint and muscle pain.

Dengue, a tropical disease, tends to thrive in urban areas with inadequate sanitation that allows virus-carrying mosquitoes to thrive.

The fever was once a seasonal occurrence in Bangladesh.

However, the changing climate, characterised by hotter and wetter monsoons due to global warming, has led to more frequent outbreaks since the first recorded instance in 2000.

This recent surge in infections has caught the nation off guard, as it is driven by a more virulent strain of the virus.

Medical professionals have observed that the condition of current dengue patients deteriorates at a much faster rate compared to previous years.

Shocking statistics reveal that up to 20 people have succumbed to dengue daily over the past two months, surpassing the total death toll for the last 22 years.

To combat this crisis, Bangladesh has initiated public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing the breeding of mosquitoes.

Nonetheless, Dr Mushtaq Hussain, a public health expert, emphasises the need for more comprehensive and enduring measures.

He notes that many people aren’t taking dengue seriously and assume it is similar to the flu that will wear off eventually.

Speaking to BBC Bengali, he stated:

“Those concerned think that it may be a temporary disease and that it will go away after a few days, so no effective or long-term measures are being taken.”

The consequences of this disease are widespread.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that all 64 Bangladeshi districts have reported dengue infections. 

Hospitals in the capital city of Dhaka have been inundated with dengue patients seeking treatment, with most facilities operating beyond their capacities.

Moreover, there is a critical shortage of intravenous fluids, which are essential for treating dengue patients who often suffer from dehydration.