Bangladesh is facing a severe dengue outbreak, with one more death reported and 463 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours. The total caseload has now reached 15,670, with at least 96 deaths since January, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the new cases, 193 patients were hospitalized in Dhaka, while the remaining 270 were admitted to various hospitals outside the capital. On Saturday, three people died, and over 400 cases were registered.
In 2023, Bangladesh reported a record 1,705 dengue-related deaths and a total of 321,179 cases, according to DGHS data.
Entomologists warn that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days, with hundreds of new cases and deaths being reported due to the mosquito-borne viral fever. Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist and professor at Jahangirnagar University, projected that September would see a higher number of cases due to weather patterns and a higher intensity of larvae found in July, the beginning of the rainy season.
Bashar fears that the situation could further deteriorate in October if appropriate measures are not taken in consultation with entomologists and health experts. He emphasized that the reported figures do not represent the actual number of infected people, as not all patients diagnosed with dengue are admitted to hospitals.
The current weather conditions in Bangladesh are favorable for dengue breeding, and Bashar urged local government authorities to take specific measures, including hot spot management and scientific breeding and larvae management, to combat the disease effectively.
The viral infection dengue is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes, and there is currently no treatment for the disease. Health authorities are working to manage the outbreak and provide necessary support to affected individuals and communities.
