Bangladesh battles record dengue deaths as disease pattern changes: Analysis

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Mosammat Mayna, a 23-year-old cleaner at Mugda Hospital in Bangladesh, is experiencing sorrow and fear as she works in the dengue ward. Mayna took the job after her sister, Maria Ratna, died of dengue while working as a cleaner in the same ward. The country is currently facing its worst dengue outbreak in history, with hospitals overwhelmed and the death toll increasing. On Wednesday, Bangladesh reported 24 deaths from dengue, the highest in a single day.

Dengue is transmitted through mosquitoes that bite infected individuals and then spread the disease to others. This makes hospitals with high concentrations of dengue patients particularly dangerous for uninfected individuals. Health experts are concerned because dengue outbreaks in the region typically subside when monsoon rains end by the end of September.

As of Monday, the government’s Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) reported that Bangladesh has recorded 301,255 dengue cases and 1,549 deaths this year. The current death toll is approximately five times higher than last year’s tally of 281 fatalities.

Mugda Hospital’s director, Dr. Mohammed Niatuzzaman, expressed alarm at the high number of dengue patients in November. Previously, dengue outbreaks were mostly limited to heavily populated urban centers like Dhaka. However, this year the disease has spread to every district, including rural areas. The DGHS data reveals that 65 percent of the reported cases this year were from outside of Dhaka, marking the first time the capital had fewer cases than the rest of the country.

The severity of this year’s outbreak has raised concerns among public health experts, with some describing it as an epidemic. Dr. ANM Nuruzzaman, a former DGHS director, believes that the political turmoil ahead of the country’s upcoming general election has diverted attention away from the severity of the outbreak. The government officials claim that they have taken steps to control the spread of dengue but acknowledge the limitations of the country’s healthcare system.

Several factors contribute to the high number of cases and deaths this year. The prevalence of the Den-2 type strain of dengue among patients is a key factor. Over 75 percent of patients this year were diagnosed with Den-2, and most of the patients who died were affected by this strain. Additionally, the disease’s spread to rural areas has presented challenges due to limited healthcare facilities and low awareness of the illness.

Entomologists have suggested that climate change may be altering the pattern of dengue outbreaks in the region. The consistent rain throughout October and early November, instead of subsiding after monsoon season, provides an ideal breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, which carry dengue. Kabirul Bashar, a professor of medical entomology, has found that the mosquitoes are now breeding even in dirty sewers and saline seawater.

Furthermore, the widely used insecticides malathion and temephos have become ineffective against Aedes mosquitoes in Bangladesh due to resistance. Researchers recommend developing a comprehensive five-year plan to control the spread of dengue and eradicate the Aedes mosquito population.

The current dengue outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals like Mugda Hospital, where space is limited and patients keep arriving daily. Mayna, who works as a cleaner, fears she may suffer the same fate as her sister.

Analysis:

In terms of credibility, the article provides information from various sources, including the impacted individuals, health experts, government officials, and entomologists. The information aligns with the current situation of the dengue outbreak in Bangladesh and provides insights into the factors contributing to its severity. The inclusion of data from the government’s Directorate General of Health Service adds credibility to the reported number of cases and deaths.

The presentation of facts is clear and descriptive, providing relevant details about the outbreak, such as the increasing death toll, the spread of dengue to rural areas, and the challenges faced by the healthcare system. The article also highlights the potential reasons behind the severity of this year’s outbreak, including the prevalence of Den-2 strain and the altered pattern of dengue due to climate change.

The article does not appear to have any clear biases. However, there is a potential bias in the government’s response, as they claim to have undertaken necessary measures to control the outbreak while acknowledging the limitations of the healthcare system. This bias may downplay any potential shortcomings in the government’s response.

The overall impact of the information presented is significant, as it sheds light on the alarming dengue outbreak in Bangladesh. The inclusion of personal stories from affected individuals, such as Mayna, helps to humanize the impact of the outbreak and create a sense of urgency. The analysis of entomologists regarding the impact of climate change adds depth to the understanding of the situation.

Given the existence of fake news and the increasingly polarized political landscape, the impact of this information may be influenced by pre-existing biases and misinformation. The political turmoil and upcoming general election in Bangladesh could impact the public’s perception and interpretation of the government’s response to the outbreak. Additionally, the complexity of climate change and its relation to dengue may be misinterpreted or downplayed, leading to a less nuanced understanding of the situation. It is crucial for the public to rely on credible sources and engage critically with the information presented to avoid misinformation and facilitate an accurate understanding of the outbreak.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/21/record-dengue-deaths-in-bangladesh-experts-flag-change-in-disease-pattern