At least 400 dead as Bangladesh dengue outbreak worsens leaving hospitals overwhelmed
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.
By mid-November, 4173 patients were being treated - 1835 of them in the capital Dhaka.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“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 said.
“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 although it has spilled beyond that window in 2024.
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.
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 one per cent, renowned physician Dr ABM Abdullah said.
“Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue,” he said.
There were 1705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported in 2023 - the deadliest year on record in the current crisis.
The growing frequency and severity of outbreaks have strained Bangladesh’s already overwhelmed health-care 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.
