Dengue outbreaks reported in Bangladesh and India

Bangladesh is facing a significant surge in dengue fever, with the total death toll reaching 303 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 58 deaths have been recorded in October, following 148 fatalities in September. Hospitalizations have reached 99,275 since January, though 92,803 patients have since recovered.

The outbreak is occurring outside the typical June-to-September season and shows a sharp increase compared to the same period last year. In addition to dengue, health authorities are managing a rise in measles-like symptoms, with over 205,000 cases reported and 1,162 deaths linked to suspected infections since mid-March.

In India, the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing an unusual rise in dengue cases. Over 190 laboratory-confirmed cases have required hospitalization in the traditionally less-prone mountainous region. In response, a team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has been deployed to map virus strains and identify hotspots to assist local health departments.