Shahariar Islam Sovon :
The dengue crisis in Bangladesh continues to worsen, with authorities struggling to control the rising number of cases despite substantial investments in mosquito control programs.
Millions of taka have been allocated to combat the growing threat, yet mosquito populations remain unchecked and dengue cases continue to surge. The lack of progress has raised concerns over the country’s ability to contain the outbreak and protect public health.
Former World Health Organization (WHO) adviser, Prof. Dr. Muzaherul Huq, shared his insights with The New Nation on tackling the growing mosquito problem in Bangladesh. He stressed the critical importance of identifying the exact locations where mosquito larvae are breeding, as without this information, effective control of the issue is impossible.
Dr. Huq highlighted several cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and Rangpur, where numerous dead canals serve as prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Many of these significant breeding spots have been overlooked, contributing to the increasing mosquito populations in urban areas.
To address the situation, Dr. Huq recommended the use of high-level pesticides at identified hotspots, ensuring proper distribution to minimise mosquito spread. He firmly believes that with a systematic and targeted approach to pesticide application, the mosquito menace can be curbed, thus protecting public health.
The expert further emphasized that a nationwide approach is imperative to eliminate mosquitoes, as dengue is spreading across the country.
“It is not possible to eliminate mosquitoes with only city corporations’ efforts; other agencies, such as Union Parishads and Upazila administrations, must also be involved in a common programme to destroy mosquito breeding grounds,” he suggested.
The dengue crisis in Bangladesh has worsened due to climate change, turning the disease into a year-round threat rather than a seasonal one. Experts are now warning that the region is on the brink of a global pandemic due to deteriorating sanitation, poor drainage systems, and rising rainfall linked to climate change.
The situation in Bangladesh has become dire, with hospitals overwhelmed by the rising number of dengue cases. According to official data from the Directorate General of Health Services, 415 deaths and over 80,000 infections have been reported in 2024.
This follows a record-breaking year in 2023, when 1,705 dengue-related deaths were recorded-the highest toll on record. In contrast, there were only 281 deaths in 2022. The alarming spike in fatalities can be attributed to inadequate drainage systems in densely populated urban areas, creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Professor Dr. Muzaherul Huq reiterated that the country’s failure to manage water drainage and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds has worsened the situation. “If we fail to detect the exact locations where mosquitoes are breeding, it becomes impossible to control the problem effectively,” he stated.
The impact of climate change has exacerbated the problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant increase in global dengue cases, with Asia accounting for 70% of occurrences.
WHO estimates that around 3.9 billion people-half of the world’s population-are at risk of infection. “Climate change is fundamentally altering the behaviour and breeding patterns of Aedes mosquitoes. Once confined to summer, these mosquitoes now thrive year-round, even in the winter,” explained Dr. Huq.
Although significant efforts have been made to control the outbreak, such as the Tk1,288 crore project initiated by the Awami League government, the results have been unsatisfactory.
Despite increased budgets and manpower allocated to mosquito control by local authorities like the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the mosquito menace remains largely uncontrollable. The government has formed 10 vigilance teams to strengthen mosquito control measures, but experts argue that unless the root causes-such as poor sanitation and infrastructure-are addressed, these efforts will remain inadequate.
The situation is not confined to Bangladesh. Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries are also experiencing a rise in dengue cases. In 2025, dengue has already claimed several lives in Sri Lanka, and the number of cases continues to rise. The National Dengue Control Unit of Sri Lanka reported 2,352 cases in the early months of 2025, with the highest number of cases found in Gampaha District.
With experts sounding the alarm on the growing threat posed by dengue, the need for immediate and effective action has never been more urgent. Governments and organizations must work together to improve drainage systems, increase public awareness, and ensure timely medical treatment to prevent further outbreaks.
