Recent outbreak of dengue in Bangladesh: A threat to public health

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The dengue virus is widespread throughout Bangladesh and significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality. One effective method for preventing further dengue epidemics is to reduce mosquito breeding at the most opportune period each year. This study aims to determine dengue prevalence in 2022 by comparing previous years' data and estimating the period of this disease's most significant incidence. METHODS: From the beginning of 2008–December 15, 2022, we looked at the monthly reports of cases made to the Bangladesh Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research. RESULTS: According to our findings, there were 61089 confirmed dengue cases in 2022, with 269 fatalities ‐ the highest annual death toll for this disease since 2000. Almost one‐third (32.14%) of all dengue deaths in Bangladesh occurred in 2022 (1 January–15 December), highlighting the severity of the threat posed by this disease in the coming year. Furthermore, we observe that the months in the second half of any year in Bangladesh are the most at risk for dengue transmission. In 2022, Dhaka city and Chittagong are hit the hardest (incidence: 63.07% vs. 14.42%; morality: 63.34% vs. 24.16%), showing the relevance of population density in spreading this fatal disease. CONCLUSION: Statistics show an increase in dengue cases every day, and the year 2022 will be marked as the peak of the disease's death prevalence. Both the individuals and the government of Bangladesh need to take action to reduce the dissemination of this epidemic. If not, the country will soon be in great peril.