Bangladesh: Over 400 deaths from dengue as outbreak exacerbates

DHAKA – Bangladesh is battling its worst outbreak of dengue in years, with more than 400 deaths as rising temperatures and a longer monsoon season triggered a surge in infections, leaving hospitals overwhelmed, particularly in urban areas.

This year, at least 407 people have died from related complications, with 78,595 patients admitted to hospitals nationwide, the latest official figures show.

By mid-November, 4,173 patients were being treated, with 1,835 of them in the capital, Dhaka, and 2,338 elsewhere.

“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University.

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.”

Moreover, the dense populations in cities exacerbate the spread of the disease, which is typically more common during the monsoon season from June to September, though it has extended beyond that period this year.

If detected early and treated properly, deaths from dengue can be reduced to less than 1%, said a renowned physician, Dr. ABM Abdullah, adding, “Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue.”

Last year was the deadliest on record in the current crisis, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.