Bangladesh faces deadly dengue outbreak mid climate challenges

Bangladesh is grappling with its worst dengue fever outbreak in years, with over 400 deaths reported in 2024. Health authorities say rising temperatures and prolonged monsoon rains, driven by climate change, have created ideal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary carrier of the disease.

According to official figures, 78,595 dengue patients have been hospitalized this year. By mid-November, 4,173 people were still receiving treatment, including 1,835 in Dhaka and 2,338 in other areas.

Scientists highlighted unusual weather patterns, such as monsoon-like rainfall in October, as a significant factor. Dense urban populations have further intensified the spread of the disease, which has extended beyond its typical June-to-September season.

According to officials, hospitals, particularly in urban centers, are struggling to manage the surge in infections, while authorities continue their preventive measures to curb the outbreak.