Dengue cases surge across Bangladesh as experts call for urgent action

7/10/2025 11:59

Bangladesh's dengue outbreak is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths climbing sharply across the country, health experts have said, warning the disease could spiral if urgent and coordinated mosquito control efforts are not launched.



According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 50,689 dengue cases and 215 deaths have been reported nationwide this year as of October 6.



Professor Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, said the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease — already severe in September — could turn "alarming" this month due to climate change and erratic rainfall, as well as extended holidays and weak local government action that disrupted anti-mosquito drives.



"If we fail to act now, the situation could spiral out of control," Bashar said.



He said climate change has extended the breeding season for mosquitoes, while delays in cleaning and fogging drives have worsened the problem. Once confined mostly to cities, dengue is now spreading to smaller towns and rural areas, raising fears that it could become endemic nationwide.



With hospitals under growing strain and infections still rising, health officials fear the crisis will deepen in the coming weeks.