Current:Home > BackBangladesh is struggling to cope with a record dengue outbreak in which 778 people have died-LoTradeCoin
Bangladesh is struggling to cope with a record dengue outbreak in which 778 people have died
View Date:2024-12-24 00:16:23
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh is struggling with a record outbreak of dengue fever, with experts saying a lack of a coordinated response is causing more deaths from the mosquito-transmitted disease.
The World Health Organization recently warned that diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever caused by mosquito-borne viruses are spreading faster and further because of climate change.
So far this year, 778 people in Bangladesh have died and 157,172 have been infected, according to the government’s Directorate General Health Services. The U.N. children’s agency says the actual numbers are higher because many cases are not reported.
The previous highest number of deaths was in 2022, when 281 people are reported to have died during the entire year.
Dengue is common in tropical areas and causes high fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, internal bleeding that leads to death.
Mohammed Niatuzzaman, director of the state-run Mugda Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, said Thursday that Bangladesh is struggling to cope with the outbreak because of a lack of a “sustainable policy” and because many do not know how to treat it.
Outside Dhaka and other big cities, medical professionals including nurses need better training in handling dengue cases, he said.
He said authorities should include groups like city corporations and local governments in the fight against dengue, and researchers should study how to prepare for future outbreaks.
Some residents of Dhaka are unhappy with the authorities.
“Our house is in an area which is at risk of dengue. It has a higher quantity of waste and garbage. I’m cautious and use a mosquito net. Despite that, my daughter caught dengue,” said Zakir Hassain, a resident of Dhaka’s Basabo area.
“What will happen to those who are unaware? If the city corporation or ward commissioner took more care and sprayed insecticides, then we could have avoided the dengue outbreak,” he said.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- College Football Fix podcast addresses curious CFP rankings and previews Week 12
- Save 40% on TULA Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen and Get a Luminous Look
- Jerry Springer’s Cause of Death Revealed
- Senate’s Green New Deal Vote: 4 Things You Need to Know
- 'Treacherous conditions' in NYC: Firefighters battling record number of brush fires
- Nope, We Won't Get Over Keke Palmer's Radiant Met Gala 2023 Look
- Seth Meyers Admits Being Away From the Kids Is the Highlight of Met Gala 2023 Date Night With Alexi Ashe
- Save $493 on an HP Laptop and Get 1 Year of Microsoft Office and Wireless Mouse for Free
- Kentucky woman seeking abortion files lawsuit over state bans
- Blake Lively Brings Her Mom Elaine for Glamorous Night Out After Welcoming Baby No. 4
Ranking
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- Taylor Swift Deletes Personal Video Detailing Weird Rumors About Joe Alwyn Relationship
- OnlyFans Models Honor Christina Ashten Gourkani, Kim Kardashian Look-Alike, After Death at 34
- All the Details on E!'s 2023 Met Gala and How to Watch
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- Lululemon's Mother’s Day Gift Guide Has Something for Every Type of Mom
- Get a $65 Deal on $142 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Skincare
- Kylie Jenner Has the Best Plus-One in Daughter Stormi for Met Gala Night 2023
Recommendation
-
Businesses at struggling corner where George Floyd was killed sue Minneapolis
-
Fire Up Your Fashion Memories With the Most Unforgettable Met Gala Moments of All Time
-
Breaking Down the 2023 Met Gala's Karl Lagerfeld Theme
-
Sophia Culpo Addresses Unintentional Weight Loss After Braxton Berrios Breakup
-
Brittany Cartwright Defends Hooking Up With Jax Taylor's Friend Amid Their Divorce
-
Jerry Springer Laid to Rest Near Chicago 3 Days After His Death
-
Granger Smith Sends Support to Shaquil Barrett After Daughter's Drowning Death
-
BaubleBar's Sitewide Jewelry Sale Has Amazing Deals Starting at $10