Dengue Outbreak Devastates Another Country

While many in the United States are watching the weekly increase in Dengue virus cases reported in Florida and Puerto Rico, this mosquito-carrying disease is creating havoc in Asia.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Dengue Situation Report #1, Bangladesh has joined its neighbor India in confirming Dengue has become endemic, with yearly peaks in cases and deaths around the monsoon season.

As of August 27, 2023, the upsurge in Dengue cases started around the last week of April.

This year's total has reached 119,133 cases, and 569 related deaths have been reported from all 64 districts in Bangladesh.

This makes it the largest outbreak of Dengue ever reported in Bangladesh.

Tested samples indicated DENV-2 (62%) and DENV-3 (29%) are the primary circulating serotypes.

The WHO stated it is leading partners to support the national authorities to mount a coordinated response to the outbreak. The government has requested immediate support for test kits, IV fluids, and laboratory equipment for early detection and better case management.

Additionally, the U.S. CDC has deployed one expert from its Dengue Branch in Puerto Rico to provide technical assistance in the field of clinical case management.

This situation report summarizes the status of the outbreak and some of the support being provided.

As of September 4, 2023, there have been no reports of a Dengue vaccination program in Bangladesh. There are two Dengue vaccines in use in certain countries.