Mapping hotspots and cluster analysis of the current dengue outbreak in Bangladesh

Abstract

Dengue, an arthropod-borne viral infection transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has emerged as a critical global health challenge, affecting millions of people around the world. While sporadic cases of the dengue virus have been observed in Bangladesh since 1964, the country entered a new phase with the emergence of endemicity after the pivotal outbreak in 2000. The year 2019 marked a significant milestone, recorded an alarming surge in dengue cases, reached a staggering count of 101,354. However, the subsequent enforcement of lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 induced a remarkable reduction in cases, dwindling to 1405 and 28,429 cases, respectively. The resurgence of dengue in 2022 manifested as another formidable outbreak, amassing 62,382 cases and resulting in 281 fatalities. Regrettably, the ongoing year, 2023, has shattered previous records, with 1187 reported deaths and an unprecedented escalation to 207964 cases by mid-October...