Bangladesh's Dengue Death Toll Surpasses 400 Amid Worsening Outbreak

Bangladesh's dengue crisis deepens, with over 400 fatalities reported in a worsening outbreak. Health authorities emphasize the need for urgent preventive action.

Bangladesh is facing its worst dengue outbreak in years, with over 400 deaths recorded as rising temperatures and prolonged monsoon seasons contribute to a surge in infections. Hospitals, particularly in urban areas, are overwhelmed.

At least 407 people have died from dengue-related complications in 2024, with 78,595 hospital admissions reported nationwide, according to official data. By mid-November, 4,173 patients were undergoing treatment, including 1,835 in Dhaka and 2,338 in other regions.

"We’re experiencing monsoon-like rains in October, which is unusual," noted Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. He attributed the outbreak to climate change, which has created favorable breeding conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary carrier of dengue.

The disease, typically confined to the monsoon months of June to September, has now extended beyond this period. Dense urban populations have further accelerated its spread.

Rising temperatures and extended monsoons, linked to climate change, have intensified mosquito breeding and the virus's rapid transmission. Bashar emphasized the need for year-round vector surveillance to control the disease.

According to Dr. ABM Abdullah, a prominent physician, deaths from dengue can be reduced to less than 1% with early detection and proper treatment, stressing that "early diagnosis and prevention are critical."

Last year was the deadliest in the crisis, with 1,705 deaths and over 321,000 infections reported. The frequency and severity of outbreaks are overwhelming Bangladesh’s healthcare system, with hospitals struggling to treat the growing number of patients.

Health authorities recommend mosquito repellents, bed nets, and eliminating stagnant water to curb mosquito breeding. However, delays in seeking treatment, particularly in rural areas where access to specialized facilities in Dhaka is limited, have exacerbated the crisis.

Mild initial symptoms of dengue often go unnoticed, leading to critical complications that contribute to the rising death toll.

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Source: Reuters‍