United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is unlikely to see a drop in dengue cases during the upcoming winter months (November to January), as the disease, once seasonal, is turning into a year-round health concern due to lack of preparation and proper monitoring, experts warned. Though the dengue cases usually decline during cooler months experts warn that the surge may continue due to climate anomalies, urban conditions and lapses in mosquito control efforts this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 212 dengue deaths and 49,907 cases have been recorded in the country as of October 5, 2025 from January. Dengue claims nine more lives, second highest daily toll this year Authorities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital and other tertiary centres reported a sharp rise in patient admissions as well. Over the past five years, the deadliest months for dengue in Bangladesh have shifted but consistently peaked between August and November. November 2024 saw year’s highest 173 deaths, September 2023 recorded 87, October 2022 had 86 while August 2021 reported 34 deaths. Kabirul Bashar, a professor of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, said, “In recent years, the disease has crossed its seasonal boundary and is now present throughout the year. During the monsoon and post-monsoon periods its spread becomes alarmingly intense.” The trend clearly indicates that if effective measures are not taken immediately, the situation in October could become catastrophic, Bashar said. Bangladesh reports 263 more dengue cases in 24hrs A higher density Dengue vector means the rate of disease transmission will rise rapidly and the number of patients could double or even more within a few weeks, he said. “The spread is not limited to the capital. Major cities like Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Mymensingh are witnessing a rapid increase in dengue cases. Alarmingly, rural areas are no longer safe either. Once primarily an urban disease, dengue has now infiltrated districts and upazilas,’’ he added. About two-thirds of the infected population still resides in urban areas but infections are steadily increasing in rural regions. This expanding pattern will make future dengue control efforts more difficult, said Kabirul Bashar. The most concerning aspect is that the highest infection and mortality rates are being observed among the youth and working-age population, particularly those between 16 to 30 years of age and this means that students and the nation’s workforce are at the greatest risk, he said.  Despite entering the final quarter of the year, hospitals across the country particularly in the capital—continue to report high occupancy of dengue patients. Many facilities are struggling with limited beds, shortages of platelets, and lack of trained medical personnel. “We are observing a shift in dengue’s seasonal pattern,” said Prof Dr Md Golam Sarwar, the country's only government-appointed medical entomologist currently based at NIPSOM. “If mosquito control operations are halted prematurely after October, we risk seeing an early resurgence in February or March. Sustained surveillance and control must continue year-round,” he warned. Dr Sohel, a physician of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, “As soon as patients develop warning signs like abdominal pain, bleeding, or persistent vomiting, they rush to Dhaka. By the time they reach us, their condition is often quite serious.”   He warned that the number of positive cases is rising daily. “If the hot weather persists, the outbreak may take a fatal turn.”   Shortage of Medical Entomologists Scientific mosquito control heavily relies on the work of medical entomologists who are trained to conduct proper mosquito larval surveys, determine mosquito density and breeding locations, identify serotypes of the virus, and recommend appropriate chemicals and methods for vector control Bangladesh has only one government-employed medical entomologist who is currently posted at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) at the Head of the Entomology Department. On the other hand, 11 out of 12 city corporations have no medical entomologist while only 26 district civil surgeon offices have approved posts for entomologists, of which at least 12 remain vacant as of September 27. Incomplete Mosquito Surveys   Pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon surveys are vital to assess mosquito density and plan effective control strategies. The 2025 pre-monsoon survey was released mid-June, by which time the monsoon had already started—limiting reaction time. In 2024, the monsoon survey wasn’t conducted at all due to financial and manpower constraints. Even when surveys are completed their recommendations are rarely implemented due to mismanagement, corruption, and lack of resources.  Bangladesh Society of Medicine is raising awareness about the dengue across the hospitals to control it from the very beginning. The organisation is advising the patients not to take any antibiotics and aspirin type medicine without the consultation of the registered doctor.      They also advise the patients to take more saline and liquid food and paracetamol for the relief from the pain and visit the doctor immediately just after doubting the presence of the diseases.  

As dengue cases surge across Chattogram, the Civil Surgeon’s Office has identified seven areas as “Red Zones,” indicating the highest risk of the mosquito-borne disease. In addition, five areas have been classified as “Yellow Zones,” seven as “Blue,” and four as “Green,” based on the severity of the outbreak. The classification follows an analysis of dengue patient data from hospitals across the city. In September, 106 dengue cases were reported in Kotwali, 103 in Bakolia, 76 in Bayezid, 33 in Bandar, 32 in Pahartali, 23 in Khulshi, and 20 in Chawkbazar. Other areas saw fewer but still significant cases, including 19 in Panchlaish, 18 in Halishahar, 15 in Patenga, and 11 in Chandgaon. “We designated the Red Zones based on the number of dengue cases we’ve recorded from those areas,” said Civil Surgeon Dr. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. “We have provided the city corporation with a list of these zones and requested they intensify mosquito control efforts.” In total, 515 people were diagnosed with dengue in September alone, with the majority coming from the identified Red Zones. Tragically, 16 people have died from dengue this year, 11 of them in September. Read: Two wards of DSCC declared 'red zones' due to increase in dengue cases Health experts warn that the situation could worsen this month. Entomologist Entezar Ferdaous said that they have detected certain areas as high-risk after conducting a survey. They have submitted findings to the city corporation for immediate action, including spraying insecticide and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. As of Thursday morning, Chattogram has recorded 1,867 dengue cases this year, with 21 new patients reported over 24 hours. Authorities remain on high alert as the threat of a larger outbreak looms. Read more: Red zones imposed in three more districts with general holidays

Another 112 patients were hospitalized with dengue fever across the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. With no new deaths reported during the period, the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease this year remained unchanged at 83, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the new patients, 99 were undergoing treatment in Dhaka hospitals while the remaining 13 cases were reported from outside the division. Of the deceased, 77 people died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi and Mymensingh division. Read: Dengue claimed 1 more life in Bangladesh, 183 more hospitalized in 24 hrs Some 768 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Wednesday morning. Of them, 593 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 175 were listed outside Dhaka. Since January, some 21,837 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue in the country. Read: Climate change making dengue an annual affair in Bangladesh: Experts So far, 20,986 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS. In September, the country recorded the highest number of 7,841 dengue cases of the current year with 22 deaths.

Two more people died of dengue while 217 new patients were hospitalized across the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. The fresh deaths were reported in Dhaka, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With the latest figures, the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease rose to 67. Among the deceased, 62 died in Dhaka city alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one in Rajshahi. Among the new patients, 174 were undergoing hospital treatment in Dhaka while the remaining 43 cases were reported from outside the division, according to DGHS. Read: Dengue: 184 more hospitalised in 24 hrs Some 983 patients diagnosed with dengue fever are receiving treatment in the country as of Wednesday morning. Of them, 776 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 207 were listed outside Dhaka. Some 17,007 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January. So far, 16,957 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS. Read: Dengue: 248 more hospitalized in 24 hrs with no new death The number of dengue patients hospitalized in a single day was the highest with 343 patients on September 7. In August the country recorded the highest number of 7,698 dengue cases of the current year. In July, 2,286 people were diagnosed with dengue and 12 died while in June 272 cases were recorded with no deaths.

Another 164 new dengue patients were hospitalized across the country in 24 hours till Saturday morning. The number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease remained static at 59 as no fresh death was reported during the 24-hour period, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the new patients, 164 were undergoing treatment in hospitals in the capital while the remaining 57 cases were reported from outside the Dhaka division. Some 1,099 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country, the DGHS said. Also read: Dengue cases likely to come down within a month: LGRD Minister Of them, 880 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 219 were listed from outside Dhaka. Among the deceased, 54 died in Dhaka city alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one in Rajshahi. Some 17,115 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January. So far, 15,957 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, the DGHS added. Also read: Dengue: 229 more hospitalized, no fresh death reported The highest number of dengue patients hospitalized in a single day so far this year was 343 patients on September 7. In August, the country recorded the highest number of 7,698 dengue cases in the current year. In July, 2,286 people were diagnosed with dengue and 12 died while in June 272 cases were recorded with no death.

One new dengue case was reported in the country on Tuesday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

One new dengue case was reported in the country on Thursday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

No new dengue case was reported in the country on Tuesday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

One new dengue case was reported  in the last 24 hours till 8am on Wednesday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

No new dengue case was reported  in the last 24 hours till 8am on Monday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).