A significant surge in dengue fever cases has gripped Bangladesh, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday, calling for efforts to control the mosquito vector population and minimize individual exposure such as using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothes.

The outbreak, which escalated rapidly since late June, has seen a total of 69,483 confirmed cases and 327 related deaths between 1 January and 7 August, with a case fatality rate of 0.47 percent, according to the UN health agency. The cases were reported from all 64 districts in the country.

In July alone, 43,854 cases and 204 deaths were reported, accounting for 63 percent of the total cases and 62 percent of the deaths. The sharp increase in numbers is unprecedented compared to the past five years, emphasizing the gravity of the ongoing outbreak.

“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 said.

Fourteen more deaths were reported in 24 hours till Saturday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 387 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

During the period, 2,432 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, it said.

So far, the DGHS has recorded 82,506 dengue cases and 72,289 recoveries this year.

Symptoms of dengue

Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and get better within two weeks. Rarely, dengue can be severe and lead to death. If symptoms occur, they usually begin four to 10 days after infection and last for two to seven days.

Symptoms may include high fever (40°C, or 104°F), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash.

Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away and may include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, being very thirsty, pale and cold skin, and feeling weak.

People with these severe symptoms should seek medical care right away.

WHO risk assessment and advice

WHO assessed the dengue risk at the national level as “High”, primarily due to the escalating case numbers, high case fatality rate, and the extensive geographical distribution of cases.

The UN health agency called for integrated vector management (IVM) to control mosquito populations and reduce human-vector contact, including removal of potential breeding sites, reducing vector populations, and minimizing individual exposure.

Specific actions involve vector control strategies for larvae and adult mosquitoes and source reduction, especially of water storage practices, and include covering, draining and cleaning household water storage containers on a weekly basis, using insecticide-treated nets and indoor space spraying (fogging).

At an individual level, protective measures include topical application of repellents to exposed skin or treatment of clothing, and the use of long sleeves shirts and pants; use of household insecticide aerosol products or mosquito coils, as well as window and door screens, which can reduce the probability of mosquitoes entering the house.