NewsDesk @bactiman63

According to data published by The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh, an additional 3,008 dengue fever hospitalizations were reported, bringing the cumulative total for this record season in the country to 187,725. The previous record was 101,354 cases registered in 2019.

Officials also recorded 16 additional fatalities, putting the death tally for 2023 to 909. Two-thirds of the deaths (603) are from Dhaka city. 281 deaths were recorded in 2022, the previous national record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the total hospitalized dengue patients, 60% are recorded at health facilities outside Dhaka (101,828). Until 2019, not a single district outside Dhaka recorded dengue cases.

According to a Business Standard report, the dominant strain responsible for the transmission of dengue in rural areas is Aedes albopictus, the survey finds. The species of Aedes comprises two main types – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Aedes aegypti is predominantly found in urban areas, whereas Aedes albopictus is more active in rural settings.

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According to entomologists, managing Aedes albopictus presents greater challenges compared to Aedes aegypti.

“Spread of the virus cannot be contained if it is not controlled within the territory where it originated. Due to the rapid movement of people, the dengue virus has spread from the capital city to villages where the anti-mosquito campaign is very weak,” Kabirul said while expressing his concern, adding that the vectorial capacity of the Aedes albopictus urgently needs to be examined. Vectorial capacity describes the ability of a mosquito to spread a pathogen among hosts.