Dengue Outbreak in Bangladesh Reaches Alarming Heights with Over 100,000 Hospitalized

Bangladesh is grappling with a severe dengue outbreak, with hospitalizations surpassing the staggering figure of one lakh for the third time since the disease was first documented in the country in 2000. The latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirms that as of Saturday morning, the number of hospitalizations has reached 100,029, with the death toll climbing to 561. The situation has escalated alarmingly, with another 141 individuals hospitalized and three additional deaths reported in the past 24 hours. This year alone has been particularly devastating, as it has seen a record high of 1,705 fatalities and over 321,179 hospital admissions. By comparison, from 2000 to 2022, the cumulative total of deaths was 853, with 244,246 hospitalizations recorded within the same period. The dengue crisis first emerged in Bangladesh in 2000, when the nation witnessed 93 deaths and 5,551 hospital admissions. The mortality rate from the disease remains concerning. The previous highest death toll occurred in 2019, with 276 fatalities and over 101,354 hospital admissions. Interestingly, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, dengue's impact was somewhat muted, resulting in only seven fatalities and 1,405 hospitalizations. This year’s prolonged outbreak marks a worrying trend, as the peak season for dengue has typically been from May to October. However, in an unprecedented twist, high rates of hospitalization and death have persisted into December. Among the total hospitalized patients this year, 37,870 were recorded in the capital, Dhaka, while the remaining 62,159 came from various districts across the country. Notably, the demographic breakdown shows that 63 percent of the patients are men, compared to 37 percent women. Examining the death toll further reveals that out of the 561 fatalities, 290 were women and 271 were men. The distribution of deaths indicates a significant impact, with 339 occurring in hospitals in the capital and 222 across the rest of the country. The alarming trend in mortality rates has been persistent, with the most significant numbers occurring in the latter part of the year. Expert opinions highlight the urgency of addressing the mosquito population density, which remains critically high, despite the onset of winter. Professor Md Golam Sharower, head of the entomology department at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, has called for intensified research into both the vector responsible for transmitting the virus and the effectiveness of insecticides used in larvae control. The latest surveillance from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) indicates that three of the four known dengue virus serotypes are circulating in the country, with DENV-2 being the most prevalent, affecting 70 percent of patients this year. DENV-3 was found in 20 percent and DENV-4 in the remaining cases. Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential mutation of the dengue virus, yet there has been a lack of focused research on this front. As the country faces this unprecedented health crisis, the need for a comprehensive response that encompasses effective vector control, improved healthcare capacity, and ongoing research has never been more critical. The health authorities are under pressure to devise strategies that can effectively combat this persistent threat and protect the population from the devastating effects of dengue fever.