2023-10-02 10:41:00
Bangladesh Faces Worst Dengue Fever Outbreak with Over 200,000 Cases and 1,000 Deaths
Bangladesh is currently battling the worst outbreak of dengue fever in its history, with more than 200,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths reported this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that climate change is making mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever spread faster and more aggressively.
Dengue fever, which is considered endemic in tropical regions, presents symptoms such as high fever, headache, vomiting, and muscle aches. In severe cases, patients may experience bleeding on the skin, and it can even lead to death.
Reports from the Bangladesh Health Service released on Sunday revealed the alarming statistics, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Over 200,000 people have been affected by dengue fever this year alone, with a staggering 1,006 fatalities. This death toll is far higher than any other year, including the years since 2000, with 112 victims being children under the age of 15.
Benazir Ahmed, former director of the Health Services Agency, expressed concern over the unprecedented death toll, stating that this year’s outbreak has surpassed anything seen before. To put it into perspective, last year, only 281 dengue-related deaths were recorded in Bangladesh.
Scientists have attributed the current outbreak’s severity to unseasonal rainfall and warmer weather during the monsoon season, which provide ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. These factors have contributed significantly to the increased transmission of dengue fever in the country.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a warning in September, highlighting the immense strain the ongoing crisis has put on Bangladesh’s health system. The organization has been closely monitoring the situation and providing support to combat the outbreak.
Dengue fever is not the only disease affected by climate change. Chikungunya, yellow fever, and the Zika virus are also becoming more likely to spread rapidly due to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.
As the nation works to mitigate the effects of this alarming outbreak, it is crucial for authorities to focus on measures such as mosquito control, public awareness campaigns, and strengthening healthcare systems to effectively tackle this public health crisis.
Source: Reuters]
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