Since April 2023 Bangladesh has been experiencing its most severe outbreak of dengue on record. The outbreak is putting huge pressure on the health system.
The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high humidity, which have resulted in an increased mosquito population throughout Bangladesh.
WHO is supporting the authorities to strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, clinical management, vector control, risk communication and community engagement, and has trained doctors and deployed experts on the ground. WHO has also provided supplies to test for dengue and to support care for patients.
Read more: Dengue update 2023 (who.int)
At Jurain Graveyard on 15 September 2023 Ismam prays at the burial site of his aunt, who died ten days earlier from dengue.
Kolpona takes care of her husband Sumon while their son plays in their home in Teskony Para Colony, Dhaka, on 15 September 2023.
Sumon holds his son at their home. He said that he lost his job after not being able to go to work for ten days because he was suffering from dengue.
Masuma uses insecticide spray to try to prevent mosquitoes from entering her home in Mirpur, Dhaka. Her child is suffering from dengue. The locality is badly affected, with many households with someone who has contracted the disease.
People drive and walk past standing water in Tejgoan, Dhaka. Mosquitoes often breed in construction sites, open drains and other areas with standing water.
Dhaka City Corporation North worker Abdullah fumigates against mosquitoes that could be carrying the dengue virus in Rampura, Dhaka.
Hossain is tested for dengue at Mugda Hospital in Dhaka, on 20 September 2023. He said he had been suffering for a fever for the last three days.
Medical Technologists Masuma and Arshad at work processing dengue tests in the laboratory of Mugda Hospital in Dhaka.
Resma is treated for complications from dengue at Mugda Hospital in Dhaka.
Tania attends to a patient in the dengue ward at Mugda Hospital in Dhaka.
Jahanara and her child Pavel, who have tested positive for dengue, wait to be admitted to the dengue ward at Mugda Hospital in Dhaka.
Doctors visit the dengue ward at Dhaka Medical Hospital.
On 24 September 2023 Dhaka Medical Hospital is overcrowded with patients suffering from dengue..
WHO’s Dr Syeda Tasmina Ferdous Jinia speaks to nurses in the dengue ward of Suhrawardy Hospital in Sher-E-Bangla-Nagar, Dhaka, on 3 October 2023.
WHO’s Rajib Chowdhury speaks with Nurse Akter in the Suhrawardy Hospital dengue ward in Sher-E-Bangla-Nagar, Dhaka, on 3 October 2023.
WHO Bangladesh Project Officer Md. Jewel Rana, Data Analyst Md. Uddin and Data Analyst Kaniz Fatema at work in the control room of the Directorate General of Health Services, where dengue related data is monitored and stored.
Photo credits: WHO/Fabeha Monir