Dengue Outbreak: Spread to 61 districts, hospitalisations and deaths increase

• Two deaths, 801 new cases in 24 hours
• 12,860 hospitalised, 53 deaths in 24 days of September
• Hospitalisation rate 50%, death rate 39%
• 25,701 hospitalised, 136 deaths from 1 Jan to 24 Sept
• Three high risk areas identified in Ctg
• 400 cases reported 6 weeks in Meherpur

The dengue outbreak in Bangladesh has now spread to 61 districts, with significant increases in hospitalisations and fatalities.

Over the last 24 days of September, 12,860 people have been hospitalised due to dengue fever, resulting in 53 deaths.

Currently, the hospitalisation rate is approximately 50%, while the death rate stands at 39%.

Except for Chuadanga, Thakurgaon, and Habiganj, dengue cases have been reported in all other districts.

From 1 January to 24 September, a total of 25,701 individuals were admitted to hospitals, resulting in 136 fatalities.

In the last 24 hours alone, two deaths from dengue have been recorded, alongside another 801 patients hospitalised across the country.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported these figures based on data collected up to Tuesday morning.

In 2023, the total number of dengue hospitalisations reached a record high of 321,179, with 1,705 deaths, the highest recorded in a single year.

AF Hassan Arif, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, inspected larvicide application and cleanliness initiatives in the Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daula Park and Ahmed Bawani Academy School and College area in the capital on Tuesday morning.

He said, "Every year, we simulate dengue prevention efforts. Whenever cases rise, we react. If we take action from the outset and raise awareness among everyone, we can reduce dengue transmission."

He expressed concern over the current infection rates, emphasising that while the number of deaths is lower, this should not be a cause for satisfaction. "We need to focus on infection prevention. Two key areas require attention: maintaining cleanliness and applying larvicides, along with fogging. Additionally, public awareness is crucial."

Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, chief executive officer of the Dhaka South City Corporation, told The Business Standard, "As dengue season is upon us, we are prioritising mosquito eradication. Our teams are visiting homes and various establishments to apply insecticides. In wards without council representatives, regional executive officers are overseeing these efforts."

According to the Local Government Division, to address the current outbreak of dengue fever, a total of 3,214 mosquito control workers are actively implementing mosquito eradication campaigns across all city corporations and at-risk municipalities.

In response to the ongoing dengue outbreak, the Local Government Division held an emergency meeting and formed ten teams.

These teams are responsible for implementing, coordinating, and closely monitoring mosquito eradication operations in Dhaka South and North City Corporations, as well as in twelve other city corporations and high-risk areas such as Savar, Dohar, Tarab, Rupganj, and other municipalities.

As Tuesday, 18,611 locations have been inspected nationwide. Among these inspected areas, 682 are in city corporation jurisdictions, with 77 municipalities identified as high-risk areas where necessary measures have been implemented.

Additionally, 9,365 breeding sites have been destroyed, and larvicides have been sprayed.

In Chattogram City Corporation, 41 warning notices were issued, and five were issued in Dhaka North City Corporation due to stagnant water found in broken containers, construction sites, flower pots, and lift shafts.

Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, said, "Our workers clean around households and apply insecticides, but they cannot enter homes. Residents must ensure their premises are clean. Attention should be paid to potential water accumulation in refrigerators, air conditioners, flower pots, unused tyres, coconut shells, open chip packets, and any containers on rooftops or elsewhere."

In addition to conducting mosquito control operations, DNCC officials are distributing leaflets and raising public awareness through loudspeakers about dengue prevention. The monitoring activities are set to continue daily for the next week, both in the morning and evening.

Chattogram identifies three high-risk areas

The Chittagong City Corporation has designated three areas – Baklia, Kotowali, and Bayezid Bostami – as high risk for dengue.

These regions reported the most cases in the first 17 days of September, with 55, 46, and 36 patients identified, respectively.

In total, 591 dengue patients have been detected in the first 22 days of September, the highest monthly total in eight months. Alarmingly, eight fatalities have occurred this month, surpassing the combined total of five deaths from the previous eight months.

Over 400 cases in 6 weeks in Meherpur

In Meherpur, dengue cases have surged to over 400 within just six weeks, largely due to inadequate mosquito control, lack of preparedness from local authorities, and insufficient public awareness.

The outbreak has overwhelmed healthcare facilities, with daily admissions at Meherpur's 250-bed General Hospital, Gangni, and Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complexes.

In 24 hours till Tuesday night, Twelve patients were admitted to the General Hospital, eight to Gangni, and three to Mujibnagar.