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Published : 22 Dec 2025, 12:53 AM
Severe and prolonged joint pain lasting more than three months has affected 60 percent of chikungunya patients in Chattogram, while dengue infections in the region have disproportionately hit younger people, a study has found.
The findings emerged from a joint research initiative by the Asperia Health Research and Development Foundation and Chattogram City Corporation, aimed at understanding the dengue and chikungunya situation in the region and preparing for future public health risks.
The study analysed patient data collected between June and November this year. Information from 1,797 dengue patients and 1,100 chikungunya patients was examined, covering clinical, public health, epidemiological and genetic characteristics of patients from Chattogram City Corporation areas and surrounding Upazilas.
Researchers from several institutions took part in the study, including the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Chittagong University, Chattogram General Hospital, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, USTC, Apollo Imperial Hospitals, the Disease Biology and Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, and the Next Generation Research, Sequencing and Innovation Lab Chittagong (ENRICH).
The study found that 60 percent of chikungunya patients experienced severe and persistent joint pain lasting more than three months. Among the 1,100 patients analysed, 85 percent reported ankle pain, 82 percent knee pain, 80 percent wrist pain and 65 percent pain in the joints of the hands.
PROLONGED JOINT PAIN
From the early stages of this year’s chikungunya outbreak, patients had been reporting long-lasting joint pain. However, there had been no concrete data to establish the scale of the problem clearly. This study is the first to systematically analyse patient data and present a clear picture of the trend.
Prof Adnan Mannan of Chittagong University’s Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, one of the lead researchers, told bdnews24.com that chikungunya has emerged as a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in Bangladesh, particularly in Chattogram.
According to the study’s findings, he said, the disease is not confined to short-term fever. Instead, it is increasingly causing prolonged joint pain, reduced work capacity and significant economic losses, making it a long-term public health and financial challenge. Relying solely on dengue-centric control strategies, he warned, is insufficient to address chikungunya.
Morning stiffness was observed in 60 percent of patients, while 45 percent showed symptoms of joint swelling.
Dr Mannan said genetic analysis conducted as part of the research identified the virus’s genetic diversity. Similar variants had previously been detected in Pakistan, India and Thailand. He added that the strain circulating in Chattogram shows more than 50 genetic changes or mutations, and that more detailed research would be possible with adequate funding.
Within Chattogram City Corporation areas, Kotwali, Bakalia, Double Mooring, Agrabad, Chawkbazar, Halishahar and Panchlaish recorded the highest infection rates. Among the Upazilas, Sitakunda, Boalkhali and Anwara were the most affected.
The study also found that in 30 percent of cases, incorrect diagnosis and a lack of adequate testing hampered proper identification of the disease.
Dr Mannan said a lack of public awareness and the burden of medical expenses have made disease management more difficult. On average, each affected patient spent between Tk 10,000 and Tk 15,000 on treatment.
Based on feedback from physicians involved in the research, he added, nearly 9,000 patients did not undergo testing due to the high cost of RT-PCR tests.
The research further revealed that co-infections were complicating the situation. Among more than 100 patients, chikungunya was found alongside dengue in 1.1 percent of cases and alongside Zika in 0.7 percent.
DENGUE HITTING THE YOUNG
Demographic analysis showed that dengue infections were most prevalent among young adults. According to the study, 48.4 percent of dengue patients were aged between 18 and 35.
Children and adolescents under 18 accounted for 24.5 percent of cases, while 22 percent of infections were recorded among middle-aged individuals.
Analysis of clinical and biological data from 1,797 dengue patients showed that 44.8 percent were suffering from dengue with warning signs.
Clinical symptom analysis found that almost all patients had fever, affecting 98.9 percent. Other common symptoms included nausea and vomiting in 71.4 percent, headache in 62.5 percent, muscle pain in 42.4 percent, pain behind the eyes in 39.7 percent, abdominal pain in 35.8 percent and diarrhoea in 23 percent.
Co-morbidity analysis showed that 5.5 percent of dengue patients had hypertension, while 4.5 percent had diabetes.
Among dengue-related complications, 31 percent of patients developed cough and 23.9 percent experienced bleeding. Some patients showed signs of fluid accumulation, with 14.3 percent having fluid in the abdomen and 14.2 percent in the lungs.
Blood test results indicated that 72.7 percent of patients showed markers of severe infection.
Prof Mannan said genetic analysis of the viruses identified several new and significant mutations that could influence the spread and severity of disease in the region. He said these findings would be crucial in shaping future treatment approaches and disease control strategies.
The research was led by Dr HM Hamidullah Mehedi of Chattogram General Hospital’s Department of Medicine, Dr Abul Faisal Mohammad Nuruddin of Railway Hospital, and Prof Adnan Mannan of Chattogram University.
GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE
Presenting the research findings at the Theatre Institute on Sunday, Chattogram City Mayor Shahadat Hossain said dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in urban areas are not only health risks but major public health and urban management challenges.
He said mosquito breeding sites, seasonal and climatic factors, urban infrastructure and human behaviour must be scientifically analysed for mosquito control programmes to be successful in the long term.
The mayor stressed the need for evidence-based policymaking, ward-level planning and the use of modern technology. He expressed a commitment to coordinated efforts among researchers, physicians, public health experts and city corporation departments to build Chattogram into a dengue- and chikungunya-free city.
At the event, Asperia Health Care Limited Chairman Golam Baki Masud said the crisis cannot be addressed without research-based data, adding that Asperia will continue to support science-based research and effective initiatives in the public interest.
According to data from the Civil Surgeon’s Office, between June and November the district recorded 4,243 dengue cases and 24 deaths. During the same period, 3,683 chikungunya patients were identified.
