Noman Mosharef :
Though the rainy season is yet to start officially, Bangladesh almost braces for a menacing unwelcome guest, the Aedes mosquitoes, triggering a highly possible pre-season surge in the fatal dengue fever.
In the wake of past bitter experiences, the authorities concerned have been trying to control the excessive presence of the mosquitoes, the carrier dengue virus, everywhere in the country, including the capital city, through taking various measures.
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken an initiative to introduce a Sri Lankan model to combat and eliminate dengue with relevant stakeholders.
Under the new plan, dengue testing kits will be procured using administrative budgets, and healthcare workers will receive specialized training for dengue treatment and prevention.
A coordination team-comprising local leaders, religious figures, NGOs, BNCC cadets, and youth volunteers-will be formed to conduct awareness campaigns across communities.
Additionally, control rooms have been established at local government levels, and mobile courts are actively operating in the field to support prevention efforts.
Furthermore, an international research comprising with International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), scientists from Australia’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, the University of Queensland, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers fresh hope for controlling dengue in Bangladesh, as researchers develop a strain of Wolbachia-infected Aedesaegypti mosquitoes adapted to local conditions in Dhaka.
Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, dubbed “good mosquitoes,” carry a natural bacterium that blocks viruses like dengue, zika, and chikungunya from multiplying, significantly reducing their ability to transmit these diseases to humans. Sources with the icddr,b said the development brings Bangladesh closer to deploying a safe, biological tool to combat arboviral diseases.
In the first half of May 2025, nearly 3,264 people were infected, following over 700 cases in April. With the nation still scarred by 2024’s devastating toll -1,01,214 infections and 575 deaths – experts are sounding the alarm, urging vigilance and simple preventive steps to tame the mosquito’s menace.
From household cleanups to city-wide campaigns, the fight against dengue is a call to arms for every citizen.
The numbers paint a grim picture. According to the Department of Health, 2025 has already seen over 3,264 infections and 21 deaths in its first four months, with Dhaka South City Corporation bearing the brunt.
While May’s 187 cases have yet to claim lives, the rapid rise signals trouble. In 2024, Dhaka South and North City Corporations led in deaths, and this year, Barisal joins the hotspots. Though infections dipped early last year, the death rate – 29 in four months – remains stubbornly high.
“Dengue is no longer just urban,” warns Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, a leading physician. “It’s spreading nationwide, fuelled by erratic rains.”
The Aedes mosquito, notorious for breeding in stagnant water, thrives in homes – under refrigerators, in flower pots, or near air conditioners. “These are household mosquitoes,” Abdullah emphasises. “Water must not sit for more than two days.” The 2024 epidemic exposed vulnerabilities. Hospitals overflowed, and families mourned as dengue claimed lives across generations. Dhaka’s dense urban sprawl, coupled with inadequate drainage and unchecked water accumulation, created a breeding paradise for Aedes.
This year’s early spike, despite lower initial numbers, suggests the mosquito is adapting, striking even before the monsoon peak. Public health experts like Professor Benazir Ahmed point to climate shifts-intermittent rains and rising temperatures-as catalysts. “Rain triggers breeding,” he says. “We’re seeing it now.”
The memory of last year’s losses drives urgency. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has rolled out free dengue testing at urban health centres and maternity homes, while hospitals are setting up dedicated dengue units.
“We’re preparing for the worst,” says DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz, detailing a multi-pronged strategy: ward cleanups, youth campaigns, and a new army partnership to spray repellents effectively. “We’re hitting the ground running,” he added.
Experts agree: prevention is the key. Abdullah urges households to eliminate standing water, from AC drip trays to roadside tires. “Clean your home and surroundings,” he advises. “Sleep under mosquito nets, day or night, and dress kids in long pants.”
He stresses early action for symptoms – fever, body aches, headaches, or rashes. “Don’t ignore fever; get tested fast. At home, hydrate with water, ORS, or juice, but stick to paracetamol – no other drugs.”
Ahmed echoes the call for awareness, particularly in multi-storey buildings where rooftop tanks or construction sites harbor Aedes.
“Don’t store water in open drums or pots for over three days,” he warns. “Aedes bites at dawn and dusk, so stay covered.”
He advocates for prompt testing, available free at DNCC wards or local diagnostics, and hospitalization if weakness sets in. “Water is your ally – drink plenty,” he adds.
For city corporations, Ahmed proposes a monthly cleanup cycle. “Clear containers in May, and June infections drop. Sustain it, and July improves. This can control dengue year-round.” Azaz confirms DNCC’s proactive stance, with media campaigns, emergency medicine stockpiles, and personal field visits to rally communities.
The battle against dengue transcends government action. “It’s not just the administration’s job,” Abdullah insists. “Every citizen must act.” From sweeping away chip packets to covering water containers, small steps can starve Aedes of breeding grounds. Yet, systemic gaps – clogged drains, underfunded mosquito control, and lax urban planning-persist. The 2024 tragedy, where Dhaka South alone lost dozens, underscores the cost of inaction.
As May unfolds, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Will communities heed to the experts’ call, or will dengue’s red-eyed grip tighten? With free tests, hospital readiness, and a reinvigorated DNCC, the tools are in place. But success hinges on collective resolve – each net hung, each bucket emptied, each fever tested. In this whimsical dance of rain and sun, the Aedes mosquito waits. The question is: will Bangladesh strike first?
