Dengue News: 1291 Hospitalized And 6 Dead From Dengue In Last 24 Hours In Bangladesh! Sri Lanka Now Witnessing A Dengue Surge!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 20, 2023 1 year, 3 days, 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
Dengue News: As the dengue outbreak continues to wreak havoc across South Asia, Bangladesh finds itself grappling with a grim milestone, while Sri Lanka witnesses an alarming surge in cases.
Bangladesh Struggles with Unprecedented Dengue Outbreak
In the last 24 hours, Bangladesh has witnessed an alarming escalation in dengue cases, with 1,291 new hospitalizations and six additional deaths reported. This brings the total fatalities in the country to a staggering 1,549 for the year, making 2023 the deadliest year on record for dengue in Bangladesh. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reveals that the total number of cases has surpassed 300,000, marking this year as the worst outbreak in the nation's history.
The capital city, Dhaka, remains a hotspot, with 247 new cases reported within the last 24 hours. However, alarming trends are emerging as dengue spreads to all 64 districts of the country, overwhelming healthcare facilities. Of the 4,949 patients currently receiving treatment, 1,127 are in Dhaka, highlighting the strain on the capital's healthcare infrastructure.
Local
Dengue News coverages are reporting that hospitals across the country are facing not only facing a shortage of hospital beds and healthcare staff, but even a shortage of basic drugs and medical equipment including saline drips.
September proved to be the deadliest month, accounting for 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, while October saw a slight decrease with 67,769 cases and 359 deaths. Disturbingly, November has already recorded 201 deaths in the first 19 days, indicating a persistent crisis.
Experts attribute the surge to a prolonged monsoon, rising temperatures, and the failure to effectively combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector responsible for transmitting the virus. Despite promises from authorities to address the issue, the situation continues to worsen, leaving citizens and experts frustrated.
Dengue Records Shattered Despite Winter Season
In an unexpected turn of events, last Wednesday, Bangladesh witnessed the highest single-day death toll from dengue, with 24 fatalities recorded in a single day, even during the winter season when infections typically decline. The total death toll surpassed 1,500 in just 15 days of November, raising concerns that the infection caseload may exceed 400,000 if urgent measures are not taken.
Experts blame a neglected healthcare system, particularly in rural areas where treatment facilities are lacking, forcing a significant number of patients to be referred to Dhaka. The capital's healthcare infrastructure is overwhelmed, leading to a higher mortality rate. The health ministry's failure to utilize its budget further exacerbates the crisis, as only 32.22 percent of the allocated funds have been spent in the first 10 months of FY2022-23.
Despite dengue being traditionally associated with the monsoon season, climate change has led to its year-round prevalence. Experts stress the need for year-round measures, but the government has been slow to act. Calls for a public health emergency declaration have been ignored, leaving the country
vulnerable to the ongoing crisis.
Dhaka city health agencies, despite spending Tk 1,080 crore over the past 11 years for mosquito control, have failed to improve the situation. Urgent decentralization of the healthcare system is recommended, with rural and primary healthcare centers equipped to handle dengue cases. Vector control capacity at the municipality and union council levels is crucial to combat the disease's widespread presence.
Sri Lanka Grapples with Escalating Dengue Cases
While Bangladesh battles its worst dengue outbreak, Sri Lanka is not immune to the rising threat. Dr Nimalka Pannilahetti of the National Dengue Control Unit reports that the number of infected individuals in Sri Lanka has surged to 72,840. The Western Province, home to the capital Colombo, bears the brunt with 34,645 cases, constituting 47.5 percent of the total.
In the current month alone, Sri Lanka has reported 4,347 new cases, signaling a rapid increase in dengue infections. The situation in the Western Province demands immediate attention, with health authorities working to contain the outbreak.
As both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka grapple with escalating dengue crises, urgent and coordinated efforts are needed to control the spread of the virus, prevent further fatalities, and safeguard public health in the region.
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