Bangladesh Faces Highest Dengue Death Rate in Two Decades

Bangladeshi doctors are on high alert as the country experiences its highest dengue fever mortality rate since 2003, Arab News reported yesterday.

The ongoing outbreak, exacerbated by the monsoon season, has resulted in 177 deaths out of 34,121 hospitalized patients, marking a fatality rate of 0.52%. This surpasses last year’s rate of 0.49%.

Dengue, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has surged in incidence since the early 2000s. While last year saw over 211,000 hospitalizations, this year’s death rate raises concerns among health officials. Dr. Mohammed Mushtuq Husain emphasized the need for improved prevention and early detection, warning that many patients arrive at hospitals in critical condition.

The disease can infect individuals multiple times, with subsequent infections posing greater risks. Experts stress the importance of strengthening preventive measures as the outbreak is expected to persist for at least two more months. There is currently no specific treatment for dengue, focusing instead on managing symptoms.