Bangladesh dengue deaths top 100, August could be worse
Dengue has killed 101 people and infected 24,183 so far this year, official data showed, placing a severe strain on the country's already overstretched healthcare system.
A sharp rise in fatalities has accompanied the spike in cases. Nineteen people have already died of dengue so far in August, following 41 deaths in July - more than double June's 19 fatalities.
"The situation is critical. The virus is already widespread across the country, and without aggressive intervention, hospitals will be overwhelmed," said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University.
"August could see at least three times as many cases as July, with numbers potentially peaking in September."
Health officials are urging people to use mosquito repellents, sleep under nets, and eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
"We need coordinated spraying and community clean-up drives, especially in high-risk zones," Bashar said.
Experts say climate change, along with warm, humid weather and intermittent rain, has created ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of the dengue virus.
While Dhaka remains a major hotspot, dengue is peaking across the country. Large numbers of infections are being reported from outside the capital, adding pressure to rural healthcare facilities with limited capacity to treat severe cases.
Doctors warn that early medical attention is critical. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue should prompt immediate hospital visits to reduce the risk of complications or death.
With the peak dengue season still ahead, health experts have stressed that community participation, alongside government-led mosquito control, will be critical in preventing what could become one of Bangladesh's worst outbreaks in years. The deadliest year on record was 2023, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Bangladesh dengue deaths top 100, August could be worse
Dhaka: Bangladesh is experiencing a surge in dengue cases and deaths, with health experts warning that August could bring an even more severe outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease if urgent action is not taken. Dengue has killed 101 people and infected 24,183 so far this year, official data showed, placing a severe strain on the country's already overstretched healthcare system. A sharp rise in fatalities has accompanied the spike in cases. Nineteen people have already died of dengue so far in August, following 41 deaths in July - more than double June's 19 fatalities. "The situation is critical. The virus is already widespread across the country, and without aggressive intervention, hospitals will be overwhelmed," said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University. "August could see at least three times as many cases as July, with numbers potentially peaking in September." Health officials are urging people to use mosquito repellents, sleep under nets, and eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. "We need coordinated spraying and community clean-up drives, especially in high-risk zones," Bashar said. Experts say climate change, along with warm, humid weather and intermittent rain, has created ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of the dengue virus. While Dhaka remains a major hotspot, dengue is peaking across the country. Large numbers of infections are being reported from outside the capital, adding pressure to rural healthcare facilities with limited capacity to treat severe cases. Doctors warn that early medical attention is critical. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue should prompt immediate hospital visits to reduce the risk of complications or death. With the peak dengue season still ahead, health experts have stressed that community participation, alongside government-led mosquito control, will be critical in preventing what could become one of Bangladesh's worst outbreaks in years. The deadliest year on record was 2023, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Chikungunya cases are rising: What India can learn from China's response
Chikungunya cases are on the rise in India, especially in cities like Mumbai, where hospitals have reported a noticeable spike in patients in July compared to June. But India isn't alone. Several countries in Asia, including Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Pakistan, and China, are reporting growing numbers of cases, showing signs of epidemic-level transmission in parts of Southeast to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, China alone has recorded around 7,000 chikungunya infections since late June. In total, more than 34,000 cases were reported across Asia by the beginning of July IS CHIKUNGUNYA? Chikungunya is a viral illness spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It is the same type that spreads dengue. The disease causes sudden high fever, joint pain, fatigue, and rashes. While it is rarely fatal, chikungunya can lead to long-term joint problems, especially in older adults and those with pre-existing health India, the disease has made regular comebacks, with outbreaks commonly reported in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. A big challenge in tackling these outbreaks is that many cases go undetected or are reported too late, making it difficult to stop the virus from spreading AGGRESSIVE STRATEGYIn contrast, China is using a wide range of tools to prevent the virus from are being used to locate areas where mosquitoes are breeding. At the same time, scientists are releasing large mosquitoes, known as 'elephant mosquitoes,' which do not bite humans but whose larvae feed on the smaller mosquitoes that carry the virus, according to a New York Times authorities are also taking strict steps at the community level. According to a BBC report, people in affected areas have been told to remove all standing water around their homes, even water collected in flowerpots, coffee machines, or empty residents do not follow these instructions, they could be fined up to 10,000 yuan (about Rs 1.2 lakh), and in more serious cases, face criminal charges for not cooperating with public health measures. A worker sprays insecticide at a public housing estate following reports of imported cases of Chikungunya in Hong Kong, China. (Photo: Reuters) In some places like Foshan, infected individuals are being moved into quarantine wards covered with mosquito nets to prevent further transmission. Some residents have said they were made to pay for their own in masks are spraying insecticide in parks and on streets. Thousands of mosquito-eating fish have been released into building entrances, workers spray mosquito repellent on residents before they enter. Volunteers wearing red vests go door to door, checking for stagnant water and warning households to clean up. Refusing to comply can lead to fines or criminal charges under China's laws for infectious disease INDIA'S RESPONSE NEED A SHIFT?India does have a system called the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), but most experts believe that it is usually reactive rather than proactive. Unlike China, there is little real-time coordination between hospitals, labs, and health does track mosquito populations in some districts, but the data is not always used to predict or prevent outbreaks early. China, on the other hand, uses digital dashboards that can be accessed by both local and central authorities, helping them make quick decisions. China alone has recorded around 7,000 chikungunya infections since late June. () China also takes border surveillance seriously. In 2019, the country detected a chikungunya case from Myanmar at a border checkpoint in Yunnan and acted quickly to stop it from spreading. Travel screening using thermal scanners, digital tracking, and health declarations are part of routine checks for international travellers. In India, similar imported cases often go CAN PEOPLE DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?There is no cure for chikungunya, but there are ways to protect yourself. Wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellent, and staying indoors in air-conditioned or screened rooms can reduce the risk of being bitten. It's also important to remove any standing water around your home to stop mosquitoes from someone gets infected, rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking safe pain relievers can help ease symptoms. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises avoiding certain drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until dengue is ruled out, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.- Ends
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Chikungunya outbreak in China: Is this the dawn of a new medical era? Here's how China is fighting back with drones, AI, and lab-grown mosquitoes
Thousands infected in Guangdong as chikungunya cases surge What is chikungunya virus and how it spreads? High fever Intense joint pain Headaches Rash Fatigue and muscle pain Live Events How is China using drones and AI to fight chikungunya? Widespread insecticide spraying Deployment of drones to identify mosquito breeding sites Introduction of biological agents like larvae-eating fish and lab-bred 'elephant' mosquitoes that eliminate dengue-carrying species Fines up to 10,000 yuan (approx. $1,375) for residents who fail to eliminate standing water Temporary electricity cut-offs for non-compliance What are lab-grown or engineered mosquitoes and why is China using them? Patients isolated despite chikungunya being non-contagious U.S. issues travel alert amid global chikungunya surge Is this China's model for the future of public health? Symptoms to watch and how to protect yourself Rest and fluids Pain relief (excluding aspirin early in infection due to bleeding risk) (excluding aspirin early in infection due to bleeding risk) Monitoring for chronic symptoms in vulnerable individuals Using mosquito repellent Wearing long sleeves and pants Staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms Avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours Are there vaccines for chikungunya? What should travelers know? Use mosquito repellents Wear long-sleeved clothing Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodations Avoid outdoor activities during early morning and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active Has the new age of medical science arrived? Key takeaways Topic Details Epicenter Foshan, Guangdong Province, China Cases Reported Over 7,000 confirmed infections (as of August 2025) Spread Mechanism Aedes mosquitoes; not human-to-human Major Symptoms Fever, rash, intense joint pain, headache, fatigue Control Measures Drones, spraying, fines, mosquito-eradication programs Travel Alert U.S. CDC issues Level 2 warning for travelers to affected areas Global Impact Over 240,000 global cases in 2025; nearly 90 deaths Vaccine Status Approved abroad but not yet available in China Prevention Repellents, protective clothing, indoor protection, mosquito control FAQs: (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel China is facing one of its worst-ever public health challenges as a chikungunya virus outbreak spreads rapidly across several provinces. But this time, the country is responding with futuristic tools—drones, artificial intelligence, and genetically engineered mosquitoes. Could this be the beginning of a new era in how the world fights infectious diseases?The current chikungunya outbreak has been concentrated in Foshan, a major city in Guangdong province, where over 7,000 people have fallen ill due to the virus. This marks the largest chikungunya outbreak ever recorded in mainland China, sparking concerns over mosquito control and public health especially alarming is that this is the first major wave of chikungunya infections in China, meaning the local population has no prior immunity—making the region especially vulnerable to a fast-moving aspread by, the same species responsible for dengue and Zika virus. While not usually fatal, the virus can cause, including:For some patients, especially the elderly or those with chronic health conditions, the joint pain can linger for months, making daily life difficult long after the fever has passed. The virus does not spread from person to person, but only through mosquito response to the outbreak, Chinese authorities have launched aggressive anti-mosquito campaigns, drawing lessons from their COVID-era public health playbook. Control measures include:These steps are part of a sweeping 'mosquito-free city' initiative in Foshan, intended to cut the chain of virus transmission before it spreads further across southern government is deployingto identify mosquito breeding grounds from above, especially in hard-to-reach urban corners, rooftops, and construction high-tech drones help health officials, pinpoint problem zones in real-time, and guide teams to eliminate the source of mosquito infestations much faster than traditional a prime example of howis moving beyond hospitals—straight into the heart of public health of the most surprising strategies is the release of bioengineered mosquitoes, including a species nicknamed the "elephant mosquito" (Toxorhynchites splendens). Unlike common mosquitoes, these lab-grown predators don't bite humans—instead, they feed on the larvae of other disease-spreading introducing them into high-risk environments, authorities aim to naturally control the Aedes mosquito population without chemicals or harmful is part of China's biological control approach, blending ecological science and technology to reduce virus transmission at its though chikungunya is not spread between humans, local health departments initially ordered home quarantine and hospitalization for those infected. Patients in Foshan were required to stay in hospitals for at least one week, though home isolation rules have since been precautions, while strict, reflect heightened public health vigilance following the country's recent experiences with COVID-19 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel alert for travelers heading to Guangdong and surrounding areas, advising visitors to take extra precautions due to the alert comes amid global chikungunya activity, with ongoing cases in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bolivia, and parts of Central and South America. According to the CDC, over 240,000 chikungunya cases have been recorded worldwide in 2025, resulting in nearly 90 world is watching as China turns this crisis into a real-time experiment in next-gen epidemic control. By combining data-driven drone surveillance, AI analysis, and biological innovation, China is essentially redefining how public health systems respond to fast-spreading successful, these methods may become a blueprint not just for chikungunya, but for future outbreaks of dengue, Zika, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases—especially in tropical and subtropical is currently no antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Most patients recover with:The best defense is. To avoid infection, health experts recommend:Globally, vaccines like IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA have been approved in the United States and European Union, but they're not yet available in China. These vaccines are considered safe for most adults but not yet recommended for older people due to limited safety U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong, urging travelers to take enhanced precautions. Other countries like Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Bolivia are also battling to China should:With a blend of technology, biology, and public health enforcement, China's response to the chikungunya outbreak might be one of the most futuristic health interventions we've seen in challenges remain—especially the lack of a widely available vaccine—this could mark the beginning of a new medical era where viruses are fought not just in hospitals, but from the skies and inside mosquito habitats this model works, it could rewrite the global playbook on how we battle infectious diseases in the 21st mosquito-borne illnesses on the rise, the chikungunya outbreak in China is a wake-up call for global preparedness. Whether you're traveling to Asia, living in a mosquito-prone area, or simply staying informed, understanding how to prevent and respond to these infections is now more crucial than is a mosquito-borne virus spread by Aedes mosquitoes, not between chikungunya vaccines aren't available in China yet.
