A worker from the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) department fumigates a residential area during a mosquito control programme in Colombo, Sri Lanka. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Bangladesh is battling its worst outbreak of dengue in years, with more than 400 deaths. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Bangladesh is battling its worst outbreak of dengue in years, with more than 400 deaths as rising temperatures and a longer monsoon season drive a surge in infections, leaving hospitals struggling to cope, particularly in urban areas.

At least 407 people have died from related complications in 2024, with 78,595 patients admitted to hospitals nationwide, the latest official figures show.

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By mid-November, 4,173 patients were being treated, with 1,835 of them in Dhaka, the capital, and 2,338 elsewhere.

“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University.

Shifting weather patterns caused by climate change provided optimal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary carrier of the disease, he added.

“These changes in the season are fostering ideal conditions for the mosquitoes to breed.”

Dense populations in cities exacerbate the spread of the disease, usually more common in the monsoon season from June to September though it has spilled beyond that window this year.

A rise in temperatures and longer monsoons, both linked to climate change, have caused a spike in mosquito breeding, driving the rapid spread of the virus.

Mr. Bashar called for year-round vector surveillance in Bangladesh to monitor and rein in the disease.

If detected early and treated properly, deaths from dengue can be reduced to less than 1%, said a renowned physician, Dr ABM Abdullah, adding, “Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue.”

Last year was the deadliest on record in the current crisis, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.

The growing frequency and severity of outbreaks strains Bangladesh’s already overwhelmed healthcare system, as hospitals battle to treat thousands of patients.

Health officials have urged precautions against mosquito bites, such as mosquito repellents and bed nets, while experts want tougher measures to eliminate the stagnant waters where mosquitoes breed.

Delays in seeking treatment, particularly among rural populations who must travel long distances to specialised facilities in Dhaka, are swelling the toll, doctors said.

The disease can often show only mild initial symptoms that go undiagnosed until patients are critical.

Dehradun:

The Raipur area of Dehradun has been engulfed by a concerning dengue fever outbreak, with reports indicating that it has become a major hotspot for the disease.

An alarming number of residents in every household within the Raipur area are grappling with dengue-related symptoms, and the situation has escalated to over 500 confirmed dengue cases in this locality alone.

This outbreak has already claimed the lives of 13 individuals in Dehradun.

According to the Health Department and Municipal Corporations, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken action by issuing stern directives to both departments.

These directives emphasize the need for immediate and comprehensive efforts to combat the dengue outbreak. The Chief Minister has urged officials to operate with utmost urgency to control the spread of the virus effectively.

Data released by the Health Department, reveals that the state of Uttarakhand has seen a staggering total of 1,106 dengue cases thus far.

An alarming 58 per cent of these cases, amounting to 640 individuals, are concentrated in Dehradun alone, making it the epicentre of the outbreak in the state.

Following Dehradun, other affected districts include Haridwar with 191 reported cases, Nainital with 99, and Udham Singh Nagar with 23 cases.

The state government is now under immense pressure to implement rigorous measures, including increased mosquito control efforts, public awareness campaigns, and swift medical intervention to curb the spread of dengue in Dehradun and across Uttarakhand.

The health and well-being of the region’s residents hang in the balance, as authorities work tirelessly to bring this alarming outbreak under control.

Residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures, including the use of mosquito repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed.

Vigilance, awareness, and community cooperation are deemed essential in the ongoing battle against dengue in Dehradun.