Dengue fatalities
Silent Victims: How dengue devastated women in Bangladesh
Aleya Begum, a 29-year-old housekeeper in Dhaka, thought her fatigue and body aches were just part of her demanding routine—washing clothes and cleaning homes for a living. But when a high fever and unbearable pain left her unable to move, she realised it was something far worse.
“I work in other’s homes, washing clothes and cleaning houses. Body pain and fatigue are part of my daily life due to work pressure, so I initially dismissed my symptoms as normal,” Aleya said.
Her condition worsened rapidly, and a visit to a government hospital confirmed the diagnosis: dengue. By then, the illness had taken a heavy toll on her body and her livelihood. “The saddest part was losing my jobs. The houses I worked at hired others in my absence, leaving me financially vulnerable,” she said.
This year’s death toll from dengue surpasses 500
Even three months later, Aleya still struggles with joint pain, a lingering reminder of the disease’s devastating effects.
Her story sheds light on the unique challenges faced by women during Bangladesh’s worst dengue outbreak, which claimed 575 lives in 2024, with women in their prime disproportionately affected.
Why Women Suffer More
Nearly 300 of the total 575 dengue fatalities in 2024 were women, with the highest death toll recorded among those aged 26-40. Biological factors, including hormonal differences, and underlying health issues like anemia and hypertension, make women more vulnerable to severe outcomes, experts say.
“Women in low-income households face systemic barriers that delay medical care, leading to severe complications,” said Dr Sadia Sultana Resma, a pulmonologist at the DNCC Dedicated Hospital.
The situation is further compounded by societal expectations.
Assistant Professor Sadia Islam of the Dhaka School of Economics explained that women often prioritise their families over their health.
“Women in this age group often prioritise family over their health,” she said.
Economic Impact on Women
Women aged 26-40 form about 40% of Bangladesh’s workforce, contributing across formal and informal sectors. Their illness disrupts not only their families but also the broader economy.
For Aleya, the financial impact of dengue was immediate and harsh. Unable to work, she lost her primary source of income. “My eyes and lips were swollen, and I could barely stand,” she shared.
By the time she recovered, her employers had replaced her, leaving her struggling to find new jobs.
Barriers to Timely Care
Aleya’s experience also highlights the systemic challenges women face in accessing healthcare. Long queues in overcrowded hospitals and limited financial resources delay critical medical intervention for many.
“Many rural women don’t even know what a platelet count or CBC test is,” said Prof Sadia, pointing to the lack of awareness and access to diagnostic services.
Road Ahead
Experts emphasise that addressing dengue’s impact on women requires a gender-sensitive approach. Public health campaigns should focus on educating women about preventive measures and symptoms while providing one-stop service booths to streamline care.
“These booths could provide immediate guidance, ensure preventive measures and distribute essential supplies like saline and nutritious food,” suggested Prof Sadia.
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For survivors like Aleya, such measures could make a world of difference. “First, you see the doctor, then go for tests and then return to the doctor again. It becomes a lengthy process. At least for women, it would be helpful if this entire process could be streamlined and brought to one place,” Prof Sadia added.
As Bangladesh reflects on the devastating dengue outbreak of 2024, Aleya’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost and the urgent need for systemic changes to protect women’s lives and livelihoods.
1 month ago
3 more dengue patients die in 24 hours; This year’s death toll rises to 16
Three more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 16 this year.
During the period, 97 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the new patients, 87 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to DGHS.
A total of 387 dengue patients, including 338 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Also read: Dengue numbers keep rising: 112 more cases reported
So far, the DGHS has recorded 2,376 dengue cases, 1,973 recoveries.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
1 year ago
Dengue fatalities now 278 with two more deaths
With two more deaths reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 278 this year.
During this period, 106 more patients, including 43 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
A total of 447 dengue patients, including 243 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Read more: Bangladesh reports 49 more dengue cases
The DGHS has recorded 62,127dengue cases and 61,402 recoveries so far this year.
2 years ago
Dengue fatalities now 276 with two more deaths
With two more deaths reported from dengue in 24 hours till Saturday morning, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 274 this year.
During this period, 89 more patients, including 59 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
A total of 501 dengue patients, including 297 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Read more: Bangladesh reports 39 more dengue cases
The DGHS has recorded 61,972 dengue cases and 61,195 recoveries so far this year.
2 years ago
Dengue fatalities now 258 with another death
With another death from dengue recorded in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 258 this year.
During this period, 269 more patients, including 134 in Dhaka city, were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read more: Dengue patients are dying due to seeking treatment late: Health Minister
The new death was reported from Dhaka raising the division’s death toll to 159.
A total of 1,227 dengue patients, including 719 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Read more: Bangladesh reports 308 dengue cases, zero death in 24 hrs
The DGHS has recorded 59, 196 dengue cases and 57,711 recoveries so far this year.
2 years ago
Dengue death toll in Bangladesh reaches 182, surpassing previous record
With five more deaths reported in 24 hours till Tuesday morning this year’s fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease Dengue reached 182, exceeding all previous records in Bangladesh.
Earlier the country recorded the highest 179 deaths from Dengue in a year in 2019.
In the first week of November, already 41 people died from Dengue while 6,778 were hospitalised.
During last 24 hours, 820 patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read more: Govt fixes cost of dengue test
The gradual increase in dengue infections has created panic among the residents of Dhaka city.
Hospitals are failing to cope with the pressure of dengue patients despite setting up new wards.
Doctors and health experts say that measures taken by the city corporations and other authorities are not proving to be effective. The publicity and drives carried out by the authorities to destroy larvae of Aedes mosquito, the carrier of the dengue virus, are appearing to be inadequate.
All the latest deaths were reported from Dhaka raising the death toll in the division to 109
Of the new patients, 450 were admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka and 370 outside it, according to the DGHS.
A total of 3,223 dengue patients, including 1,947 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The directorate has recorded 44,802 dengue cases and 41, 397 recoveries so far this year.
Read more: No respite from Dengue: Death toll rises to 177
On Thursday, the country reported nine dengue deaths, the highest death toll from dengue in a day this year.
Dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh exceeded all previous records in 2019, mostly in the capital city of Dhaka. A total of 101,354 dengue cases with 179 dengue-related deaths were officially recorded
2 years ago