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DENGUE DEATHS 2023

597 and counting...
Reinfections, late hospitalisations add to risks
HELEMUL ALAM
Bangladesh is dealing with its worst dengue outbreak. With four new deaths recorded yesterday, dengue fatalities this year rose to 597, which is more than double compared to the previous record since the mosquito-borne disease’s first official outbreak in 2000.
To put this into perspective, the previous highest annual death toll was 281, recorded last year.
Moreover, the total number of dengue cases this year rose to 125,342, eclipsing the previous record of 101,354 cases in 2019.
Besides, the daily dengue bulletin from Directorate General of Health Services relies on data from only 57 public and private hospitals in Dhaka, and 81 district and divisional-level hospitals.
However, there are approximately 16,000 public and private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, and blood banks across the country providing dengue care, suggesting that the actual number of cases and fatalities may be significantly underreported.
Dengue is a reportable disease in other countries, meaning data on every single dengue patient must be recorded, according to experts.
Apart from negligence of the authorities concerned, experts attribute this year’s unusually high death toll to delayed hospitalisation, reinfections, coinfection and presence of Den-2 and Den-3 serotypes among the infected.
Dengue exists as four distinct serotypes (closely related forms of the virus).
Immunity from infection with one serotype may provide lifelong protection from that serotype but is only partially protective against the others. A second-time infection with a different serotype increases the infection’s severity which can lead to fatality, explained the experts.
IEDCR Director Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin said, as dengue has been active in Bangladesh for the last 23 years, many have been infected with different serotypes, increasing the chances of reinfection. This is one of the main causes of this year’s high death rate.
Besides, the country’s temperature remains favourable for Aedes breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.
Climate change, resulting in warm temperatures and intermittent rain have also contributed to increased transmission of dengue over the last decade, stressed experts, including Prof Shirin.
However, early detection and immediate hospitalisation can help lower the risks significantly.
“Consulting a doctor and taking necessary medication are essential if a patient is diagnosed with fever. Patients should take in enough fluids,” advised prof Shirin.
She suggested intake of coconut water, saline and home-made fruit juices to keep the patients hydrated as these fluids will ensure a supply of necessary vitamins and minerals needed for a speedy recovery.
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