22 Jul 2019 | 10:02 AM UTC
Bangladesh: Nationwide dengue fever outbreak ongoing mid-July
Ongoing nationwide dengue fever outbreak is ongoing as of mid-July; officials report at least 2767 cases from July 1-16
Event
Health officials in Bangladesh have reported a significant increase in dengue cases in July 2019, with 2767 cases reported in the first 16 days of the month alone. Between January and July of 2019, at least 4852 cases of dengue fever have been reported - more than four times the amount in the same period in 2018. Authorities have also recorded three deaths due to dengue fever in 2019.
The start of the rainy season usually corresponds with increased incidence rates.
Context
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. In a small number of cases, the potentially deadly dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) may develop, resulting in internal bleeding, enlargement of the liver, and high fever.
Advice
Individuals in Bangladesh are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).
