Khulna:The coastal belt of the country is witnessing a significant rise in dengue cases, with over 45,000 reports of infection in the coastal districts up to October 23, exerting pressure on upazila hospitals in the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram regions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, experts are emphasizing the need for more research to understand the changing patterns of the disease. Over 40 percent of dengue patients hospitalized in the country this year were admitted in 19 coastal districts, with a mortality rate exceeding 34 percent. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 1,512 new admissions in the past 24 hours leading to October 23, with no deaths recorded in the Khulna division during this period.
The coastal regions reported 97,552 cases in 2023, accounting for 30.4 percent of the country's total dengue patients. Experts attribute the spread to factors such as the introduction of the virus in previously less exposed areas, water storage due to safe drinking water shortages, poor sanitation, and environmental conditions conducive to mosquito breeding.
Dr. Banga Kamal Basu and other health professionals have highlighted the importance of further research into the disease's transmission patterns, suggesting that the dengue virus may not only be spreading through mosquitoes. The need for epidemical disease isolated hospitals and improved public awareness in the coastal areas has also been stressed.
The spread of Aedes albopictus, a dengue-transmitting mosquito species that thrives in rural and semi-urban environments, has been identified as a possible factor contributing to the outbreak. A survey by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Barguna found Aedes larvae in numerous water-holding containers.
Entomologist Dr. Kabirul Bashar pointed out the necessity for more research on the behavior and role of Aedes mosquito species in dengue transmission in Bangladesh. He mentioned that ongoing research aims to better understand these dynamics.
Efforts are underway to control mosquito populations through intensified spraying operations, alongside national dengue prevention activities. However, experts warn that the increasing infection and death rates highlight the urgent need for comprehensive research and tailored public health strategies to combat the disease in coastal areas.