The fatigue of Dengue news

The current record-breaking outbreak of dengue in Bangladesh, and other Asian countries, is a nightmare for any nation. Thousands of people have been hospitalised, with many losing their lives.

The situation in Dhaka, in particular, points to the inadequacy of suitable health care provision in low-income countries to deal with an epidemic on this scale. While dengue may have lost its newsworthiness in the West, the burden of the disease has certainly not lost its impact; rather without adequate control measures in affected regions, the situation will only take a graver turn.

Continued high profile reporting by respected news agencies in Bangladesh plays a pivotal role to counterbalance this relative global neglect and highlight the urgent need for medical support. The government should not stop taking preventive measures at any cost and keep raising awareness in both the capital and rural areas.

Andrew Taylor-Robinson

Professor of Infectious Disease Immunology