Devastating dengue outbreak amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: an alarming situation

• Published in: Tropical medicine and health 2022-01, Vol.50 (1), p.11-11, Article 11
• Main Authors: Hasan, Mohammad Mehedi, Sahito, Abdul Moiz, Muzzamil, Muhammad, Mohanan, Parvathy, Islam, Zarmina, Billah, Md Masum, Islam, Mohammod Johirul, Essar, Mohammad Yasir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bangladesh; Challenges; COVID-19; Dengue fever; Letter to the Editor; Public health
• ISSN: 1348-8945; 1349-4147; 1349-4147
• DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00401-y

Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by Aedes mosquitoes that has recently expanded fast in many of the WHO member states globally. Female mosquitoes, mostly Aedes aegypti and, to a smaller degree, Aedes albopictus, disseminate dengue virus. Dengue fever has been more common in recent decades all across the world, and Bangladesh is no exception. As the COVID-19 outbreak wreaks havoc, the following rise in dengue illnesses has been a source of considerable concern. As the health care has been stretched thin in these dangerous times, the vulnerable population has been left at the mercy of these two viral infections. Lack of knowledge, major legislative changes, poor eradication initiatives, and a lack of financing resources have all contributed to the increase in numbers. Stakeholders and policymakers must begin taking meaningful actions and implementing well-thought-out adjustments immediately, or the situation will worsen, resulting in the loss of thousands of innocent lives.