Staff Reporter :
The recent dengue outbreak in Bangladesh has reached alarming levels, with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reporting that 50% of hospitalized patients are from the two city corporations of Dhaka. Following Dhaka, the cities of Chattogram and Barishal are also experiencing a significant rise in cases.
The dengue season, which began in July, has resulted in 12 deaths and 2,669 infections in that month alone. The situation escalated in August, leading to 27 fatalities and 6,521 new cases. As of September 25, the total number of dengue cases this year has soared to 26,555, with the death toll now at 138.
Statistics indicate that among the 138 dengue-related deaths reported from January 1 to September 25, 52.2% were women and 47.8% were men.
Prof. Kabirul Bashar, a Zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, expressed grave concerns over the escalating crisis. “People are dying every day,” he warned, urging immediate and targeted interventions. He criticized the lack of proactive measures during the peak dengue season, despite warnings issued two months prior.
Traditionally, the health department conducts reviews of dengue fatalities to identify improvements in reducing mortality rates. However, Prof. Bashar highlighted a lack of transparency regarding how this data is shared with researchers and policymakers, which could help mitigate future risks.
To combat the outbreak effectively, he advocated for evidence-based mosquito management strategies, emphasizing the need for immediate action within 200 meters of confirmed dengue cases. “We must destroy both adult mosquitoes and larvae,” he stated.
Local hospitals, such as Mugda Medical College and Hospital, are facing overwhelming pressure, setting up additional beds in corridors to accommodate the influx of patients. Approximately 2,000 individuals have sought treatment for dengue this year, with around 100 currently hospitalized, primarily from Dhaka neighborhoods like Maniknagar, Basabo, and Mirpur.
Similar conditions are reported in other healthcare facilities, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sir Salimullah Medical College.
A.F. Hassan Ariff, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, announced that city corporations and municipalities have been instructed to regularly monitor and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. He emphasized the importance of early awareness and proactive measures to significantly curb the spread of dengue.
Nationwide efforts to combat dengue include destroying mosquito habitats and applying larvicides in over 900 locations. Recent inspections across 18,733 sites identified 74 vulnerable areas, prompting immediate action.
To address the ongoing outbreak, 2,689 mosquito control workers are deployed across city corporations and at-risk municipalities. An emergency meeting resulted in the formation of 10 teams to tackle the crisis, focusing on high-risk areas such as Savar and Tarab.
Dr. Mohd Sher Ali, DSCC Administrator, stated that regular larviciding and adulticiding efforts are underway to eliminate Aedes mosquito populations. Monitoring teams are also conducting inspections in two phases throughout the day.
The DGHS reports that the dengue outbreak in Bangladesh has historically affected hundreds of thousands, with 1,705 fatalities last year marking the deadliest year on record. As authorities scramble to control the current surge, effective and immediate action is critical to prevent further loss of life.