Climate change induced Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh worsens: Over 400 deaths recorded

Bangladesh is grappling with its most severe dengue outbreak in recent years, worsened by rising temperatures and prolonged monsoon seasons. As of 2024, over 400 lives have been lost to dengue-related complications. Additionally,78,595 patients have been admitted to hospitals nationwide, straining the healthcare system, particularly in urban centers like Dhaka. 

Experts link the unprecedented surge in cases to shifting weather patterns caused by climate change. “We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. These extended rainy periods and rising temperatures provide ideal breeding conditions for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for spreading dengue. 

The disease, traditionally confined to the monsoon season between June and September, has now extended beyond this window, amplifying its impact in densely populated urban areas. Earlier in 2023, the country reported 1,705 deaths and over 321,000 infections, marking the deadliest year on record for dengue. 

The glaciers in the Himalayan plateau region are rapidly melting due to climate change and are responsible for hydrological changes such as prolonged monsoon season in Bangladesh. Bangladesh, despite covering just 7% of the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna River basin’s catchment area, is responsible for draining 92% of the basin’s water into the Bay of Bengal. With two-thirds of the country lying less than 5 meters above sea level, Bangladesh is among the most flood-prone nations in the world. During the monsoon, severe flooding and stagnant water further supports breeding conditions, allowing dengue-carrying mosquitoes to thrive for extended periods. 

Health officials in Bangladesh stress the importance of early detection and prevention of dengue to reduce fatalities. “If detected early and treated properly, deaths can be reduced to less than 1%,” as said by a physician renowned for his work in treating dengue infections. Experts recommend stronger measures to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, including stagnant water, along with using mosquito repellents and bed nets. Delays in treatment, particularly among rural populations, have also worsened the crisis, as patients often face long journeys to specialised facilities in Dhaka. Government and healthcare experts are calling for year-round mosquito surveillance and public awareness to combat the disease’s spread and to reduce its impact. 

As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, vulnerable countries with limited healthcare facilities and personnel, such as Bangladesh, face increasing challenges in managing vector-borne diseases like dengue. This highlights an urgent need for sustained climate action, research into climate change induced health risks and the need for increased climate finance to steer capacity building in developing countries.

Feature image: Bangladesh’s worst Dengue outbreak in November 2024. Credit: Reuters.

Read more about climate change impacts in Asia.