DHAKA: Bangladesh is currently passing through its deadliest dengue fever outbreak, reported western media on Friday.
As per health data 600 people have died of the disease this year so far posing a great threat to country’s health-care system.
Dengue fever is an annual issue during the monsoon season between July and September, when thousands of Bangladeshis get infected by the viral disease. The fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which lay eggs in freshwater pools and in rain drains.
Over the past two decades, incidences of dengue fever have seen a drastic rise in the country. In 2019, more than 100,000 cases were reported across Bangladesh.
By Friday Bangladeshi health officials have reported 593 dengue deaths and 123,000 cases of hospitalization in 2023. The infection is spreading fast with no signs of slowing.
Bangladesh expects lengthy dengue outbreak
Dr. M. Mushtaq Hussain, senior adviser to Bangladesh’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, told media that there will be more infections and deaths due to lengthy outbreak of dengue.
He said that dengue fever is threating the country’s overburdened health systems and health workers under pressure.
He went on to say that the dengue is becoming more difficult to tackle and the number of patients is on the rise.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that dengue fever is the world’s fastest-spreading disease and could transform into a pandemic if not controlled.
Dr. M. Mushtaq Hussain added that Bangladesh health system is not sufficient to handle a situation like dengue outbreak.
The rise in dengue cases is connected to climate change, but in Bangladesh it also shows government’s failure to control the spread of mosquitoes. According to health system data the disease has now reached every area of Bangladesh.
