Dengue spreads across country
Reza Mahmud :
Dengue fever has spreaded across the country alarmingly as number of patients are diagnosing everyday in different districts out-side the capital.
Public health experts warned of epidemic situation saying Chikunguniya also spread besides the dengue in different districts. They recommended that different ministry have to start strong strategic and coordinated approach to avoid dire state.
They said, the government’s health department has not sufficient preparations for coping dengue situations as it has not enough financial supports.
In these circumstances, the public health experts said the government has to give utmost importance to contain dengue.
When contacted, eminent public health expert Dr. Lenin Chowdhury told The New Nation on Tuesday, “Since the beginning of the year the lareva of Aedese mosquitoes were found widely out-side of the capital densely. But the preparation of containing dengue and chikunguniya was not found sufficient from the health department.”
The expert said, the government’s departments including health, local government and publicity have to start strong coordinated programme to contain the situation.
“Health department has to take adequate preparations in hospitals, collecting medicines and providing enough testing facilities,” the expert said.
Contacted, eminent public health expert Professor Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed told The New Nation, “Though the forecasts were found, the health department seemed lagging behind from taking proper preparation.”
He said, the government has to provide adequate training facilities for the physicians of district level hospitals as they have no experiences like the capital city’s doctors.
Meanwhile, the data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) showed Bangladesh recorded the highest single-day dengue hospitalisation of the year as 394 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the past 24 hours. The sharp spike has raised renewed concerns about the spread of the mosquito-borne disease as the monsoon season progresses.
Among the newly hospitalised patients, 157 were reported from areas outside the Barishal City Corporation, indicating a surge of infections in peripheral regions rather than in traditional urban hotspots. Despite the growing number of infections, the DGHS confirmed that no deaths occurred during this latest 24-hour period.
With the addition of the latest cases, the total number of dengue patients admitted to hospitals in 2025 has risen to 8,544. So far this year, 34 dengue-related deaths have been reported, equally divided between men and women-17 male and 17 female fatalities. The month of June alone has seen a worrying rise, with 4,199 people requiring hospitalisation due to dengue infection, suggesting that the seasonal peak may be approaching.
The daily dengue report from DGHS shows a scattered distribution of new cases across the country. In the past 24 hours, 42 new patients were admitted under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation, while 50 were reported under Dhaka South City Corporation. Outside of the Chattogram City Corporation area, 58 new cases were recorded, with 35 more outside Dhaka City Corporation limits. Additionally, 8 new patients were hospitalised outside Khulna City Corporation, and 44 from areas outside Rajshahi City Corporation.
The dengue situation in Bangladesh has worsened in recent years, with record-breaking infections and fatalities shaking the public health system. In 2023, the country witnessed its deadliest outbreak in history, with 1,705 confirmed dengue deaths and 3,21,179 reported cases. That year also saw 3,18,749 recoveries, leaving behind a toll on thousands of families and significant strain on healthcare infrastructure.
The trend, however, has fluctuated in the years preceding this. In 2022, a total of 281 people lost their lives to dengue, while the total number of cases was recorded at 62,423. The previous record was held by 2019, when Bangladesh experienced its then-worst outbreak, reporting 1,01,354 cases and 164 deaths.
In 2024, the dengue situation showed a slight retreat compared to 2023 but remained serious. A total of 1,01,214 dengue infections were reported, resulting in 575 deaths across the country. Of those infected, 1,00,040 patients reportedly recovered.
In response to the recurrent and increasingly deadly outbreaks, the Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the DGHS and local government bodies, has ramped up its efforts to curb the spread of dengue. Key measures include intensified mosquito control drives, public awareness campaigns, and early detection and treatment strategies.
City corporations, particularly in Dhaka, have been instructed to strengthen their vector control programmes. This includes increased frequency of larvicide and adulticide spraying, destruction of potential mosquito breeding sites such as stagnant water containers, and community mobilisation efforts to ensure participation from local residents. Authorities have also deployed field workers for door-to-door awareness campaigns and inspections.
In addition, the DGHS has enhanced hospital preparedness, ensuring that designated dengue treatment units are functional and that adequate supplies of saline, platelet-rich plasma, and diagnostic kits are available. Surveillance and real-time data reporting mechanisms have also been upgraded to facilitate quicker response and containment.
Health experts continue to stress the importance of coordinated action among city authorities, the health sector, and the public. With climatic changes and urban congestion contributing to the expansion of mosquito habitats, long-term strategies involving sustainable urban planning and climate adaptation measures are also being discussed.
As the country braces for the peak dengue season, health officials urge citizens to remain vigilant, eliminate stagnant water in and around homes, and seek medical attention at the earliest signs of fever. The government has reiterated its commitment to minimizing the impact of dengue in 2025 and beyond, but sustained public cooperation remains crucial to success.