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🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

Bangladesh warns of dengue surge as weather aids spread

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Bangladesh faces a potential surge in dengue infections over the next two months due to favorable weather conditions and insufficient mosquito control.
  • Dengue cases and deaths have significantly increased in June compared to May, with experts predicting a further rise in July and August.
  • The country is also grappling with a severe measles outbreak, straining its healthcare system.

Health experts in Bangladesh are warning of a sharp increase in dengue infections over the coming two months, citing conducive weather patterns and inadequate mosquito control measures as primary drivers for a potential wider outbreak.

The spread of dengue has accelerated recently, raising significant concerns following the nation's most severe outbreak in 2023. Data from the health ministry reveals a dramatic rise in both deaths and reported infections in June. Dengue deaths climbed from one at the end of May to 18 by the close of June, while reported cases surged from 714 to 5,924, an increase of more than eightfold.

We expect dengue cases in Dhaka to at least double in July from June levels and increase three to fourfold by August.

— Professor Kabirul BasharAn entomologist forecasts the potential increase in dengue cases in the capital.

Professor Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, anticipates that dengue cases in the capital, Dhaka, could at least double in July and potentially triple or quadruple by August. However, he noted that the challenge might be even greater outside the capital, where several districts are at risk of a much steeper rise in infections.

But the bigger challenge will likely be outside the capital, where several districts are at risk of a much steeper rise in infections.

— Professor Kabirul BasharThe entomologist points to a potentially greater risk in rural areas.

These warnings come as Bangladesh is already contending with one of its worst measles outbreaks in decades. Since mid-March, the country has reported over 100,000 suspected measles cases and more than 10,000 confirmed infections, with the death toll exceeding 700. This dual health crisis places immense pressure on an already fragile healthcare system.

Bashar highlighted that heavy rainfall, high temperatures, and humidity have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, while efforts to control their population have lagged behind the growing threat. He urged the government to implement a nationwide early warning system to identify mosquito breeding sites and emerging hotspots, enabling a faster response and timely community warnings.

The window to contain the outbreak is narrowing.

— Professor Kabirul BasharThe entomologist emphasizes the urgency of the situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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