Outbreak of diarrheal diseases causes mortality in different geographical locations of Bangladesh during the 2021 COVID-19 era

Abstract

Objectives: Diarrhea is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. Of the different spectrums of diarrheal diseases, cholera occurs every year, causing outbreaks and epidemics following a biannual seasonal pattern. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalization for diarrheal diseases decreased in 2020 compared to the previous years. However, in 2021, massive outbreaks occurred in different geographical locations of the country. We described that an outbreak of diarrheal diseases causes mortality in different geographical locations in Bangladesh.

Method: In this study, we present a report of diarrhea outbreaks that were reported in 2018-2021 in different parts of Bangladesh, and data have been captured from different sources such as print and electronic media as well as from a nationwide surveillance system.

Results: Among these locations, districts of Barisal Division, Kishorganj, Noakhali, Gopalganj, Bandarban, and Chattogram were the major hotspots of the outbreaks where high morbidity due to acute watery diarrhea and even mortality, which is usually low in Bangladesh, were recorded.

Conclusion: Early detection and prevention and strengthening of the surveillance system are needed to combat the diarrheal upsurge, take immediate control, and adopt preventive strategies.

Keywords: Bangladesh; COVID-19; cholera; diarrhea; outbreak.

Figure 1

(A) The number of cases and death due to diarrhoeal discase outbreaks in different districts/upazila in Bangladesh, 2021. Map source: Banglapedia Bangladesh map digitize and data updated by icddr,b. (B) The number of cases and deaths dur to diarrhoeal disease outbreaks in different districts/upazlia in Bangladesh, 2018–2021; Data source from the print and electronic media.