Effective Preventative Measures are Essential to Lower Disease Burden From Dengue and COVID-19 Co-infection in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is widely recognized as one of the dengue prone nations, and empirical evidence has consistently demonstrated an upward trend in the severity of the disease over time. With the persistent occurrence of dengue in Bangladesh and the ongoing presence of COVID-19, which has not been fully eradicated and may persist for an uncertain period of time, there is a high probability of co-infection between these 2 illnesses. Given the circumstances, the concurrent occurrence of the COVID-19 and dengue epidemics, along with the potential co-infection, may pose an overwhelming burden on healthcare systems that are already grappling with challenges in meeting the existing demand. Due to a lack of awareness, an inadequate health infrastructure, and ineffective disease prevention initiatives, the country is now more susceptible to the threat posed by a co-infection that has been found to be associated with more severe outcomes, marked by significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this opinion piece is to explore the gravity of co-infection in Bangladesh, as well as the potential challenges to overcome and the preventative measures that need to be implemented to address the severity. This opinion piece proposes a set of modern preventative strategies that, when integrated with conventional methods, have the potential to mitigate disease severity, avert the occurrence of co-infection between COVID-19 and dengue, and halt the co-epidemics of COVID-19 and dengue.

Immunization against dengue virus infection is coercive: A timely call

“…Hence, recent upsurges may be attributed to environmental factors as well new dengue serotype, DENV-4, has been observed in the current dengue breakout in addition to serotypes DENV-1 and DENV-3, and it appears to be more severe than other serotypes. 2 The prevention and management of DENV infection now depend heavily on effective vaccination. Vaccination will help in prevent new dengue infections, reduce severe cases and fatalities, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and build herd immunity.…”

“…Bangladesh's authority DGHS has recorded a total of 145,335 dengue cases and 134,421 recoveries so far this year with more than 700 deaths, which is only expected to grow. 2,3 The high transmission of dengue in the rural and underdeveloped parts of Bangladesh is a matter of concern.…”