Dengue Fever Crisis in Bangladesh Hits Record Hospitalizations and Rising Death Toll

The relentless surge of dengue fever in Bangladesh has reached yet another alarming milestone, as the nation has recorded over one lakh hospitalisations for the mosquito-borne disease for the third time since the year 2000. This resurgence highlights a growing public health crisis, with the latest figures indicating that at least 141 people were admitted to hospitals and three more succumbed to the illness in just a 24-hour period. The total number of hospitalized dengue patients now stands at 100,029, with a staggering death toll of 561 reported thus far this year. The trajectory of the dengue outbreak in Bangladesh has been troubling. Since the first recorded outbreak in 2000, which saw 93 fatalities and 5,551 hospitalisations, the situation has escalated dramatically. In this year alone, the country has witnessed a catastrophic loss of life, with 1,705 deaths attributed to dengue—an unprecedented figure that underscores the severity of the outbreak. Comparatively, from 2000 to 2022, there were a total of 853 deaths and 244,246 hospital admissions. The year 2019 previously held the record for the second-highest number of deaths from dengue, with 276 fatalities and over 101,000 hospital admissions. The pandemic in 2020 saw a notable decline in cases, with only seven deaths and 1,405 admissions due to concurrent health challenges posed by COVID-19. However, the current dengue outbreak has proven to be the longest and most severe, extending well beyond the typical peak season of May to October. December has seen continued high rates of hospitalizations and fatalities, raising concerns among health officials. Geographically, the capital city has borne the brunt of the outbreak, with 37,870 hospitalised patients, while the remaining cases have been reported across various districts. The demographic breakdown reveals that a significant proportion of the affected population consists of men, who represent 63% of the hospitalised cases. However, the death toll paints a different picture, with women accounting for 290 of the 561 reported deaths. The distribution of fatalities over the months illustrates a disturbing trend, with a significant rise in deaths observed in the latter part of the year. In particularly, October saw 173 deaths, followed by a staggering 71 deaths in the first three weeks of December alone. This alarming trend has prompted health authorities to call for immediate action and research initiatives to combat the dengue outbreak effectively. Professor Md Golam Sharower, head of the entomology department at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, has expressed concern over the persistent mosquito population despite the onset of winter. He emphasizes the urgent need for in-depth research into both the vectors and the virus responsible for dengue transmission. Additionally, the effectiveness of the insecticides used for larvae control requires thorough assessment to ensure that they remain a viable method for managing mosquito populations. The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has also contributed to the understanding of the current outbreak, revealing that three of the four dengue virus serotypes—DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4—are actively circulating in the country. According to recent surveillance data, DENV-2 has emerged as the predominant serotype this year, present in 70% of cases, while DENV-3 accounts for 20% and DENV-4 the remaining 10%. Experts have speculated that the dengue virus may have mutated, although further research is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. As the country grapples with this health crisis, the emphasis remains on enhancing prevention measures, public awareness, and medical readiness to combat dengue fever effectively. The alarming statistics serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by vector-borne diseases and the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies to safeguard the population.