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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Health & Science

Dengue outbreak feared as Bangladesh hospitals report rising admissions

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Dengue cases and hospital admissions are rising sharply in Bangladesh, with experts warning of an outbreak.
  • The DENV-3 serotype has become dominant this year, replacing DENV-2, though experts caution against labeling any serotype as inherently more dangerous.
  • As of August 3, Bangladesh reported 59 dengue deaths and 16,684 hospitalizations this year.

Hospitals in Bangladesh are reporting a sharp increase in dengue admissions, prompting experts to warn of a significant outbreak. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) stated that in the 24 hours leading up to 8:00 a.m. yesterday, 580 people were hospitalized with dengue, and three deaths were recorded. This brings the total for the year to 16,684 cases and 59 fatalities.

It would not be scientifically accurate to label one dengue serotype as more severe on its own. Disease severity depends on factors including the viral strain, the patient’s immune response, and underlying illnesses

— Dr Quazi Ahmed ZakiThe IEDCR Director explained that dengue severity is multifactorial and not solely dependent on the serotype.

Analysis from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reveals that the DENV-3 serotype is now the dominant strain of the dengue virus in Bangladesh, supplanting DENV-2, which was prevalent last year. A recent IEDCR survey of 71 dengue-positive patients found that 91.55 percent were infected with DENV-3.

Dengue experts emphasize that while the virus has four serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4), disease severity depends on multiple factors, not solely the serotype. Dr. Quazi Ahmed Zaki, IEDCR Director, cautioned against scientifically labeling one serotype as more severe, explaining that severity is influenced by the viral strain, the patient's immune response, and underlying health conditions.

The overall picture is mixed. Urban areas may show a higher concentration of one serotype, but you cannot generalise the findings for the entire country

— Dr Quazi Ahmed ZakiThe IEDCR Director commented on the varying distribution of dengue serotypes across different regions.

Zaki also noted that serotype distribution varies geographically, with urban areas sometimes showing higher concentrations of one type compared to rural regions. He reiterated that previous dengue infection is a strong risk factor for severe disease, as are pre-existing conditions like kidney or liver disease, cancer, or other active infections. Public awareness campaigns should focus on these risk factors rather than singling out a specific serotype.

Previous dengue infection remains one of the strongest risk factors for severe disease

— Dr Quazi Ahmed ZakiThe IEDCR Director highlighted the increased risk of severe dengue for individuals with prior infections.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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