No respite in dengue as cases, fatalities rise

The dengue situation in the country is worsening, with the Aedes mosquito continuing to spread the disease almost unchecked.

In the 24 hours leading up to 8am on Sunday, 8 deaths—the highest in a single day this year—were reported. Additionally, the highest number of single-day cases, 1,221, was also recorded during this period.

Experts attribute the rising cases and fatalities to insufficient efforts to control the Aedes mosquito population.

“If stagnant water persists after rainfall and no extensive mosquito control measures are undertaken, dengue cases could increase further,” Dr Sheikh Daud Adnan, director of Disease Control at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told the Daily Sun.

Dr Adnan confirmed that the DGHS has taken all necessary steps to ensure treatment for dengue patients. However, he warned that controlling the situation would be impossible without eliminating the Aedes mosquito, the vector of the disease.

He added that dengue treatment units have been set up in public hospitals across the country, including Dhaka.

"Dengue treatment is already ongoing at Mohakhali DNCC Hospital to accommodate additional patients," Dr Adnan said.

According to DGHS data, the number of reported dengue cases and deaths this year now stands at 29,786 and 158, respectively. In September alone, 16,945 cases and 75 deaths have been recorded, representing 57% of the total cases for the year.

In August, there were 6,521 cases and 27 deaths, while July saw 2,669 cases and 12 deaths. Earlier in the year, 798 cases and 8 deaths were reported in June, followed by 644 cases and 12 deaths in May.

The numbers for April were 504 cases and 2 deaths, March had 311 cases and 5 deaths, February had 339 cases and 3 deaths, and January recorded 1,055 cases and 14 deaths.

Of the 1,221 new cases in the past 24 hours, 267 were reported in Dhaka Division, with 206 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 228 in Dhaka South City Corporation. Other divisions reporting cases included Barishal (74 cases), Chattogram (183), Khulna (134), Mymensingh (48), Rajshahi (53), and Rangpur (28).

Regarding the eight fatalities, one death was reported in Barishal Division, five in Dhaka South City Corporation, one in Dhaka North City Corporation, and one in Khulna Division.

DGHS data also revealed that 62.9% of dengue patients hospitalised this year were male, while 37.1% were female. However, among those who died, 51.3% were female and 48.7% male. Since the beginning of the year, 26,631 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, with 1,090 discharged in the last 24 hours.

Dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh were first officially recorded in 2000. Between 2000 and 2022, 244,246 people were infected, and 853 died from the virus. Last year saw the highest number of dengue cases and deaths in Bangladesh’s history, with 321,179 infections and 1,705 fatalities.

Inadequate mosquito control efforts could lead to more Aedes mosquitoes

Experts warn that insufficient mosquito control measures are being implemented by the authorities, raising concerns that the number of dengue cases and deaths could rise in the coming days, especially as rainfall continues across the country, particularly in Dhaka.

“The necessary anti-mosquito drives are almost absent, and the recent rainfall will create more opportunities for stagnant water, which serves as a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. There is a real risk of an increase in dengue cases,” said noted entomologist DrKabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, in an interview with The Daily Sun.

Dr Bashar emphasised the urgent need for three types of interventions: hotspot management, breeding source control, and larvae management. "These measures must be implemented immediately to prevent further deterioration of the dengue situation," he said.

He also expressed concern about the potential rise in dengue cases outside Dhaka this year, pointing to the confirmed presence of Aedes mosquitoes in various districts.