United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam on Monday announced that the first Saturday of every month will be observed as ‘Cleaning Day’ across DSCC areas to prevent Aedes mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and to ensure a cleaner city environment. The first official ‘Cleaning Day’ will be observed on May 9 across DSCC areas. The decision was announced at a view-exchange meeting held at Nagar Bhaban conference room. As per the meeting decisions, all government offices, residential quarters, educational institutions (schools, colleges, madrashas), areas under RAJUK and REHAB, as well as privately owned premises within DSCC jurisdiction, will conduct cleanliness drives and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on their own initiatives. Besides, directives have been issued to ensure the highest level of professionalism in mosquito control activities, including maintaining the quality of insecticides, proper application methods, monitoring, and training of field workers. The DSCC Administrator said, “Public awareness and cleanliness are our main tools in preventing dengue and chikungunya. If both public and private institutions along with citizens keep their surroundings clean, it will be possible to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases. No negligence in mosquito control activities by DSCC will be tolerated.” He also urged media representatives to broadcast awareness messages on dengue and chikungunya prevention alongside commercial programmes in the greater public interest. Representatives from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Dhaka Medical College (DMC), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Islamic Foundation, RAJUK, Bangladesh Railway, REHAB, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, and Jagannath University, among others, were present at the meeting. DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Zahurul Islam and other senior officials were also present.

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday outlined a comprehensive action plan in Parliament for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to tackle waterlogging and mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, ahead of the monsoon season. Responding to a tabled question from BNP lawmaker Md Abul Kalam, the minister said the strategies emphasise strengthened surveillance, public participation and modern pest control methods. He said the DNCC has taken steps like control of Culex mosquitoes during the pre-monsoon season (March-May) and Aedes mosquitoes during the monsoon season, identification of risky areas and integrated mosquito control activities, strengthening the surveillance system and increasing public awareness and public involvement. It has also undertaken necessary coordination with relevant government institutions to strengthen mosquito control efforts. These measures include morning larviciding, removal and destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, and evening fogging operations aimed at eradicating Culex mosquitoes. Joint mosquito control drives are being conducted in high-risk hotspots such as closed canals, drains, and sewers. Additionally, the DNCC has cleaned approximately 6,000 bighas of water bodies across its jurisdiction. Under the slogan “Saturday’s Promise: Let’s Clean Our Own Homes,” the DNCC is conducting weekly cleanliness drives in 25 high-risk wards every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, based on guidance from the Directorate General of Health Services and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. These activities are ongoing in accordance with the established work plan. Fakhrul stated that the DNCC is also focusing on raising public awareness about dengue and eliminating mosquito breeding sites in vulnerable areas. As part of this initiative, a special initiative titled “Operation Clean Home: Healthy Lives” is being implemented in 25 dengue-prone wards from April 8, with activities continuing as planned. Furthermore, through hospital surveillance, the city corporation is collecting the residential addresses of dengue patients and deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to carry out targeted mosquito control measures at those locations. This activity has been in operation since April 21, 2026. In addition to the chemical pesticides currently used, the more effective organic pesticide Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) is under the procurement process after trial application. To verify the quality of pesticides used by DNCC, pesticide testing activities are ongoing on a random basis by five reputable government/private organisations. New stickers/leaflets, booklets are being prepared for public awareness and public involvement, which are ongoing. Provision of precautionary bulk SMS during the monsoon season and OTV school promotion activities are also ongoing. The proper use of pesticides has been ensured as per the guidelines of the Technical Committee of the Local Government Division and the effectiveness is being tested regularly. Steps taken by DSCC As part of the waterlogging and dengue control activities during the upcoming monsoon season, the DSCC is conducting special cleaning and mosquito extermination campaigns every week in every area by involving the local people. In addition to waste management, mosquito repellent spraying activities are continuing every morning and evening to control dengue. Moreover, a monitoring team has been formed with officers to control mosquitoes in the DSCC areas. Under the supervision of the monitoring team, a special crash programme is being conducted by identifying risky places. Mobile court drives are being conducted in risky places to control dengue and fines are being imposed if necessary. Leaflet distribution/miking activities are underway in various educational institutions, religious establishments, markets, etc. to increase public awareness. In addition, publicity in this regard is continuing in print and electronic media. To reduce waterlogging during the season, cleaning activities are underway by identifying hotspots under short-term activities. Segunbagicha box culvert, Zia Sarani and Kajla canal cleaning activities are already being implemented. Cleaning work of other canals, box-culverts and sewers will be implemented in phases. Six portable pumps have already been purchased to remove rainwater from waterlogging areas quickly. Currently, water from the DSCC areas is being drained through three outlets. Activities to construct one more outlet are underway and a plan has been taken to construct one new outlet (large sewer) from Gulistan to Sadarghat section with World Bank funding. A plan has been taken to construct the required number of outlets after conducting a survey and feasibility study by engaging a consulting firm. If the overall action plan is implemented, waterlogging will be reduced in the upcoming monsoon season. It is hoped that it will be possible to control dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases, the minister said.

Residents across Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) are struggling with an unrelenting mosquito infestation, facing bites day and night with little respite even inside their homes. The worsening situation has reignited concerns over a potential spike in dengue cases during the winter months. Despite SCC spending crores of taka every year on mosquito-control programmes, residents say the efforts have produced no visible improvement, prompting serious questions about the effectiveness of the city authority. According to SCC data, Tk 2.26 crore was allocated for mosquito eradication in the fiscal year 2025–26 — the same amount spent in the previous fiscal year. Read more: Naogaon residents battle dengue surge as urban services falter The funds were used to purchase 4,000 litres of larvicide (Temephos 50 EC) and 25,000 litres of adulticide (Malathion 57 EC) from the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory. Yet residents insist the services remain grossly inadequate. Many complain that fogging machines appear on the streets only occasionally — sometimes just once or twice a year — leaving several neighbourhoods completely untouched.  The organisation does not have a permanent mosquito-control workforce and instead relies on daily wage earners hired seasonally.  While officials maintain that 30–40 workers are deployed regularly, citizens argue that the efforts make little difference. As the mosquito menace intensifies, dengue infections are also creeping up in Sylhet.  Two people have died of dengue this year, and new cases are being reported every day.  Although SCC claims most of the infected patients are from outside the city, anxiety among residents is rising. Young adults hit hard as Bangladesh logs 593 dengue cases, 3 deaths At the Central Shaheed Minar area, college student Sumon Shawon said even standing outdoors in the evening has become unbearable. “We came here for a chat but within minutes the mosquitoes swarmed us. It’s impossible to sit or talk,” he said, calling for urgent larvicide treatment of drains and stagnant water. Read more: Bangladesh sees October as worst month for dengue deaths Apu, a resident of ward No-17, echoed the frustration, saying the situation is fuelling widespread fear. “There’s fever and cold everywhere. We can’t even tell which is dengue and which is normal flu. Mosquito bites are leaving rashes and allergies, causing more illness,” he said. SCC’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Md Zahidul Islam, admitted the crisis in manpower.  He said around 45 mosquito-control workers and seven supervisors are engaged daily, but the number falls far short of requirements. Ideally, each ward should have four to five workers and a supervisor.  With 42 wards under its jurisdiction, SCC would need more than 200 staff — a capacity the organisation cannot afford due to financial constraints. He said although SCC has recommended permanent recruitment since 2021, various complications have stalled progress. Dr Zahidul pointed out that instead of the monthly insecticide treatments recommended for effective control, the city manages to spray only two to three times a year, resulting in minimal, short-lived benefits. Emphasising the role of public awareness, he said complete mosquito control is impossible without active citizen participation. “If people cooperate, even one or two planned operations a year would be enough. Otherwise, the large amount spent on insecticides will simply go to waste,” he warned. As of 4 December this year, Bangladesh has recorded 394 deaths from dengue nationwide.  During the same period, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) registered 96,627 dengue-affected cases. Read more: Barguna battles relentless dengue surge even in winter

Even as winter sets in, the coastal district of Barguna remains gripped by dengue, with new infections being reported daily and the death toll continuing to rise. As of November 18, the district has recorded at least 15 dengue deaths, while more than 9,000 people have been affected this year.  According to data shared on Tuesday by the district civil surgeon’s office, 117 dengue patients are currently receiving treatment at the Sadar and upazila hospitals across Barguna. Within the past 24 hours alone, 21 new patients were admitted to the 250-bed Barguna General Hospital, which is now treating 60 dengue patients.  During the same period, the upazila health complexes saw 18 fresh admissions—three in Amtali, two in Bamna, four in Betagi and nine in Patharghata.  A total of 67 patients are currently under treatment at these facilities. Official records show that 9,029 dengue patients have been treated in Barguna this year, of whom 8,927 have recovered and returned home.  Barguna District Hospital treated 7,044 of these cases, while 1,985 patients received treatment at upazila-level health complexes. DSCC Administrator visits dengue control activities at Green Road, Dhanmondi Patharghata ranks second in infection numbers after Barguna Sadar, having treated 910 patients so far. The upazila has reported two hospital deaths. Government data confirm 15 dengue-related deaths within the district—12 at Barguna General Hospital, one in Amtali and two in Patharghata. However, an additional 49 residents of Barguna died while undergoing treatment outside the district, pushing the unofficial death toll to around 64. Barguna Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Abul Fattah noted that the district had been declared a dengue ‘hotspot’ as early as March. ‘Through multiple cleanup drives, coordinated efforts by the local administration, and the relentless work of health workers, we were able to keep the situation under control.  Keeping deaths at 15 despite such a large patient count was a major challenge,’ he said. While dengue cannot be fully eradicated, raising public awareness, keeping surroundings clean and eliminating mosquito breeding sites could significantly reduce future risks, he said.  Meanwhile, Bangladesh recorded four more dengue deaths in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the nationwide fatality count to 343 this year. During the same period, 920 new patients were hospitalised, bringing the total number of infections to 86,924, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Health Ministry issues dengue awareness alert amid rising cases DGHS data show that the new cases were reported as follows: 146 in Barishal Division (outside city corporation areas), 116 in Chattogram Division (outside CC), 147 in Dhaka Division (outside CC), 211 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 151 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), 72 in Khulna Division (outside CC), 65 in Mymensingh Division (outside CC), two in Rangpur Division (outside CC) and 10 in Sylhet Division (outside CC). Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives. In 2023, the country experienced its deadliest year on record, with 1,705 dengue deaths. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 318,749 recoveries that year.

October 2025 emerged as the deadliest month for dengue fever in Bangladesh this year, claiming 80 lives and recording the highest number of cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The DGHS data shows that the country logged 2,250 dengue cases in October alone , the highest monthly total of the year, reflecting a worrying surge of the mosquito-borne disease that has become a recurring public health threat. The health authorities logged 76 Dengue deaths in September, 41 in July and 39 in August. The death toll reached 278 in 10 months till October. No death from dengue reported for second consecutive day Meanwhile, 506 new dengue cases were reported in 24 hours on Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases to 69,862 this year. DGHS Director General Prof Dr Md. Abu Jafor said the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate is lower. He came up with this information at a press briefing held on October 9. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Dengue: Two more die; 762 hospitalised Of the total fatalities this year, 134 were reported under Dhaka South City Corporation, 41 under Dhaka North City Corporation, 40 in Barishal division, 25 in Chattogram division, 12 in Mymensingh division, eight in Khulna, three in Dhaka division (outside city corporation areas), and one in Sylhet division. Over the first ten months of 2025, Barishal City Corporation recorded the highest 17,224 dengue cases, followed by Dhaka division (outside city areas) with 11,548, Chattogram division 10,092, Dhaka South City Corporation 10,192, Dhaka North City Corporation 9,112, Khulna 3,543, Mymensingh 2,203, Rajshahi 4,298, Rangpur 794, and Sylhet 239. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has turned into an endemic disease in Bangladesh in recent years. Health experts attribute this growing menace to the impacts of climate change, which have made the country’s environment increasingly favourable for the breeding and survival of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Read more: How to Protect Babies and Children from Dengue Fever Erratic rainfall, prolonged monsoon seasons, waterlogging, and rising temperatures have expanded mosquito habitats, leading to more frequent and intense outbreaks. Experts also warn that traditional control measures such as fogging and larvicide use may no longer be sufficient as mosquito behaviour and breeding patterns are evolving. They stress the need for rigorous scientific research to understand how climate change is influencing the life cycle and reproductive behaviour of Aedes mosquitoes. This, they say, is essential to develop effective strategies for prevention and containment, especially as dengue continues to strain public health resources each year. Bangladesh saw its worst dengue outbreak in 2023, when the disease claimed over 1,700 lives — the highest toll since record-keeping began. Public health authorities fear the disease could become a year-round threat if urgent, coordinated action is not taken. Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever

The relentless scourge of dengue continues to tighten its grip on Bangladesh, claiming nine more lives in the 24 hours till Sunday morning, the second highest daily toll recorded this year. With these latest fatalities, the death count from the mosquito-borne disease has climbed to 212 in 2025, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 1,042 fresh cases of dengue were reported across the country, bringing the total number of confirmed infections this year to a staggering 49,907. Among the deceased, seven lost their lives under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), while one each succumbed in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Chattogram division (outside city corporation areas). The DGHS report paints a grim picture of the spread, with 195 cases emerging from Barishal Division (Out of CC), 104 from Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 201 from Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 198 under DNCC, 121 under DSCC, 72 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), 41 in Mymensingh Division, five in Sylhet Division, 23 in Rangpur Division, and 82 in Rajshahi Division (Out of CC). At present, 2,439 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country, a stark reminder of the disease’s persistent threat. Health experts say the figures highlight not only the widespread prevalence of dengue but also the urgent need for sustained preventive measures, especially in urban areas where the Aedes mosquito thrives. Bangladesh witnessed its deadliest day of the year on 21 September, when the highest number of deaths in a single day was reported. Last year, the country recorded 575 deaths from dengue, a record that looms as a warning for what may come if vigilance falters.

Bangladesh’s dengue crisis is deepening, with 179 deaths reported so far this year, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) warned on Monday. “The situation is becoming increasingly alarming. Most victims are dying within two to three days of hospital admission,” said DGHS Director General Prof Dr Md Abu Jafor at a briefing in Dhaka. He said the highest number of fatalities has been recorded among patients aged 20–30, many of whom seek care only six to seven days after fever begins, and often too late to prevent complications. “The risk of death among children has also risen,” he cautioned. Although infections have surpassed last year’s tally, the overall fatality rate remains comparatively lower, Abu Jafor noted. Still, a growing share of patients is reaching hospitals in critical condition, driving up mortality. “If anyone develops a fever, they should get tested for dengue immediately. Late diagnosis leads to complications and increases the risk of death. Timely treatment is absolutely crucial,” Abu Jafor said. Dengue deaths hit record high in Bangladesh; 12 die in a single day He warned that government measures alone cannot contain the outbreak without public awareness and vigilance. Dr Moinul Hasan, Director of Hospital Management at the DGHS, said a special medical team is being set up to ensure every dengue patient is monitored by a designated doctor. Hospitals nationwide have been instructed to boost preparedness, he added.

Three more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 65 this year. The recent fatalities occurred in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), new cases were reported as follows: 127 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 51 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), Dengue: 364 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs 29 in Rajshahi (Out of CC), 33 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), 08 in Mymensingh (Out of CC), 68 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 40 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 81 in Dhaka South City Corporation. During the period, 444 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, bringing the total number of cases to 18, 026 this year. As of now, 1332 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

The country reported one more death from dengue in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning, taking this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 52, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 406 new dengue patients were hospitalised across the country, raising the total number of infections to 13,594 since January. The latest fatality was reported from the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Bangladesh reports more severe dengue cases, calls for early treatment Among the new cases, 36 were recorded under Dhaka North City Corporation and 53 under DSCC. Outside the capital, dengue infections were reported as follows: 98 cases in Barishal Division, 78 in Chattogram Division, 64 in Dhaka Division (excluding city areas), 35 in Khulna Division, 31 in Rajshahi Division, five in Rangpur Division, four in Mymensingh Division and two in Sylhet Division -- none within city corporation areas. Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives in the country.

Three more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 51 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 425 new patients were hospitalised with dengue, bringing the total number of infections to 13,188 since January. Of the latest fatalities, two were reported in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and one in Khulna Division (outside city corporation areas). China donates dengue prevention materials to Bangladesh The fresh cases were detected as follows: 120 in Barishal, 98 in Chattogram, 36 in Dhaka Division (outside city areas), 38 in DNCC, 55 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 18 in Khulna, 11 in Mymensingh, 48 in Rajshahi, and one in Sylhet. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people.