Triple threat: Dengue, Covid cases surge as chikungunya reemerges
The Ministry of Health has noted that delays in hospital admission are contributing to the rise in dengue-related deaths
Highlights:
- 393 people have contracted Covid-19 this year
- 8 people have died from Covid this year; 7 in first 21 days of June
- 7,429 dengue patients hospitalised this year, with 31 deaths
- Dengue fatalities increasing as patients arriving late at hospitals
- 45% of chikungunya tests have returned positive results this year
- Due to limited testing, chikungunya may be underdiagnosed
Alongside a surge in dengue cases, Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in Covid-19 infections and deaths, with chikungunya cases also being detected.
The Ministry of Health has noted that delays in hospital admission are contributing to the rise in dengue-related deaths.
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Within a week, the outdoor unit at DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital in Mohakhali has seen patient numbers double. The hospital is under increasing pressure from both dengue and Covid-19 patients, prompting plans to recruit more staff.
Professor Dr Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health, told The Business Standard, "Dengue cases are rising due to a failure in preventive measures, especially mosquito control. However, we are preparing to treat patients. The issue is that patients are reaching hospitals late. If they came at the onset of fever, dengue fatalities would decrease."
He added, "Right now, we are seeing not just dengue but also Covid-19, chikungunya, and influenza. That's why anyone with fever must go to a hospital, where doctors can identify the illness and prescribe the correct treatment. The Covid-19 situation is not yet alarming, but there is no alternative to wearing masks and following health protocols."
Col Dr Tanvir Ahmed, Director of DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital, Mohakhali, told TBS, "We are currently getting the highest number of dengue patients, along with some Covid-19 cases. Chikungunya cases are fewer. Right now, 28 dengue patients and 17 Covid-19 patients are admitted. Two days ago, we had one chikungunya patient, but there are none today.
"We are conducting Covid-19 and dengue tests at the hospital, but for chikungunya symptoms, we advise testing at IEDCR or icddr,b."
He added, "We are now seeing 550–600 outdoor patients daily. Based on trends, we fear this number could soon exceed 1,000. We are fully prepared with saline, test kits, oxygen, and other resources."
Prof Dr FM Mofakhkharul Islam, head of Medicine at Dhaka Community Medical College Hospital, told TBS, "We are seeing more outbreaks of mosquito-borne dengue and chikungunya in hospitals and clinics. Along with these, there's also typhoid and influenza.
"From my experience, there are more chikungunya patients than dengue. Chikungunya requires PCR testing, available at IEDCR, icddr,b, and other PCR labs. Due to limited testing, chikungunya may be underdiagnosed."
All three diseases increasing
In Chattogram, an elderly woman (over 70) died from Covid-19 last Friday. This is the second Covid-19 death in a week; earlier, on 16 June, a 75-year-old man died.
This year, 393 people have contracted Covid-19 in Bangladesh, with eight deaths — seven of which occurred in the first 21 days of June.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 352 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours, with one death — the highest single-day dengue count this year.
A total of 7,429 dengue patients have been hospitalised so far in 2024, with 31 deaths. Of these, 3,084 hospitalisations (41.5%) and eight deaths (25.8%) occurred in the first 21 days of June.
Bangladesh experienced a chikungunya outbreak in 2017, infecting nearly 14,000 people. In December 2024, IEDCR reported 11 cases of Zika and 67 cases of chikungunya.
At the government level, testing for chikungunya is available only at the National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), and IEDCR.
Between 1 January and 28 May this year, IEDCR tested 337 samples and confirmed 153 cases of chikungunya — all from Dhaka.
IEDCR Director Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin said that a single test can detect dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. "There's no need for separate tests. This year, 45% of samples tested positive for chikungunya. However, no deaths have been reported."
Similar symptoms
Prof Dr FM Mofakhkharul Islam said, "Both dengue and chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Both cause high fever. In dengue, patients suffer from pain in the head, lower back, and eyes, while chikungunya causes severe joint pain. Some patients can't even stand due to pain. Joints swell up.
"Treatment for both dengue and chikungunya is symptomatic. For dengue, only paracetamol is allowed — no other painkillers. In chikungunya, painkillers can be used. That's why proper diagnosis is essential. Dengue can lead to Dengue Shock Syndrome, which is fatal. Chikungunya is rarely fatal but causes prolonged suffering. Some patients endure joint pain for six months to a year."
Covid test kits being procured
Following the recent Covid-19 outbreak, the government received several thousand test kits as donations, which are currently in use. However, some districts outside Dhaka are facing shortages. With fewer Covid-19 tests being done now, shortages are manageable — but testing increases may worsen the crisis.
Dr Md Sayedur Rahman said the Health Ministry has started procuring new kits, and the shortage is expected to be resolved by next month.
He added, "By next month, there should be no shortage of kits. We will increase the number of sample collection booths to ensure easier access to testing."
