Spread of dengue fever in Bangladesh worries medics

Published November 7, 2024
This photograph taken on November 4, 2024 shows a general view of dengue ward inside the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. In a children’s ward for dengue in Bangladesh’s capital, patients are squeezed two to a bed as cases rise well after the usual season for the potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus.  — AFP
This photograph taken on November 4, 2024 shows a general view of dengue ward inside the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. In a children’s ward for dengue in Bangladesh’s capital, patients are squeezed two to a bed as cases rise well after the usual season for the potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus. — AFP
In this photograph taken on November 4, 2024, an elderly woman suffering from dengue fever is being treated at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. In a children’s ward for dengue in Bangladesh’s capital, patients are squeezed two to a bed as cases rise well after the usual season for the potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus. — AFP
In this photograph taken on November 4, 2024, an elderly woman suffering from dengue fever is being treated at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. In a children’s ward for dengue in Bangladesh’s capital, patients are squeezed two to a bed as cases rise well after the usual season for the potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus. — AFP

Bangladesh is struggling to tamp down a surge in dengue cases as climate change turns the disease into a year-round crisis, leaving some paediatric wards packed with children squeezed two to a bed.

The Aedes mosquito that spreads dengue — identifiable by its black and white striped legs — breeds in stagnant pools, and cases once slowed after the monsoon rains faded.

“Normally, around this time, we would expect the flow of patients to ebb,” said Fazlul Haque, walking through a ward crowded with dengue patients at Dhaka’s Shaheed Sohrawardi Medical College.

“For the last three weeks, the number of dengue cases has been increasing.”

“We get dengue patients almost every month,” said Sabina Tabassum Anika, the doctor running the children’s dengue ward.

“With cases higher than previous months, we’re assigning two children to each hospital bed to accommodate them.”

Last month, Bangladesh recorded 134 deaths from dengue, the deadliest month this year, taking the total in 2024 to 326.

Cases are lower than last year, when more than 1,000 died, but dengue deaths are now being recorded nearly every month, medics say.

More than 65,000 cases had been recorded at the start of November. Severe cases can trigger bleeding, internally or from the mouth and nose.

The World Health Organisation has warned of the “alarming” spread of the virus, with reported cases worldwide approximately doubling each year since 2021.

More than 12.3 million cases, including more than 7,900 deaths, were reported in the first eight months of 2024.

Sheikh Daud Adnan, from the Communicable Disease Control (CDC), said efforts should be made to destroy larval sites.

“Too often, we delay and act only after an outbreak”, Adnan said.

“People still don’t fully believe that dengue can strike any time of the year, often mistaking it for a seasonal fever.”

Opinion

Editorial

Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...
Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.