United News of Bangladesh

Three people died of dengue and 534 new patients were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 50 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in Barishal and Mymensingh divisions, and Dhaka South City Corporation, it said. Since January 1 this year, a total of 14,690 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 13,452 have recovered and been discharged, while 1,188 patients are currently undergoing treatment, according to the DGHS.

Three people died of dengue and 372 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Monday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 37 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, Khulna and Barishal divisions, it said. During the reporting period, 347 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery. Since January 1, a total of 10,857 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 9,786 have recovered and been discharged, while 1,034 patients are currently undergoing treatment.

Days of heavy rainfall and widespread waterlogging in the capital have heightened the risk of dengue, with stagnant water accumulating on roads, at construction sites and in residential areas, creating ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.  

Bangladesh recorded three more deaths from dengue and 251 new cases in  24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday. With the latest fatality, the dengue death toll has risen to 22 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in the Dhaka North City Corporation, Khulna and Barishal divisions, it said. With the latest admissions, the total number of dengue cases reported in the country this year has reached 7, 557. In 2025, Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths.

Bangladesh recorded one death from dengue fever and 198 new cases in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Thursday. With the latest fatality, the dengue death toll has risen to 13 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new death was reported in the Mymensingh division, it said. With the latest admissions, the total number of dengue cases reported in the country this year has reached 5,515. According to the DGHS, 63.6 percent of this year’s dengue patients are males, while 36.4 percent are females. In 2025, Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths.

Bangladesh has recorded two more deaths from dengue and 157 new cases in 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 12 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in Mymensingh division, it said. With the new cases, the total number of dengue cases reported in the country this year has reached 5,317. According to the DGHS, 62.1 percent of this year’s dengue patients are male while 37.9 percent are female. Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths in 2025, it said.

One death was reported from dengue in the 24 hours until Tuesday  morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 10 this year. During the period, 139 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, raising the total infections to 5,039, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new death was reported in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) area, it said. According to the DGHS, 56.8% of this year’s dengue patients are male while 43.2% are female. Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths in 2025, it said.

Two deaths were reported from dengue in the 24 hours until Sunday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to nine this year. During the period, 220 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, raising the total infections to 4,900, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area and Barishal division, it said. According to the DGHS, 60% of this year’s dengue patients are males, while 40% are females. Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths in 2025, it said.  

As Bangladesh struggles to contain its worst measles outbreak in years, a fresh surge in dengue infections is raising concerns among citizens and health experts over the country’s capacity to handle two major public health threats simultaneously. The death of another dengue patient on June 1 and detection of 110 new cases across the country have sparked fears that the mosquito-borne disease is once again gathering momentum ahead of the monsoon. The latest fatality, reported from Khulna City Corporation, brought this year’s dengue death toll to six, while the total number of infections climbed to 3,307, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The death was reported at a time when the country’s healthcare system is already under immense strain from a widespread measles outbreak that has infected tens of thousands of children and claimed hundreds of lives since March. A healthcare system under pressure Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported 529 suspected and 91 confirmed deaths (total 620 deaths) from measles and related symptoms since March 15. It also reported 64,263 suspected measles cases and 9,686 laboratory-confirmed infections . Hospitals across the country, particularly paediatric units, have been struggling to cope with the influx of patients requiring intensive care, isolation facilities, ventilatory support and infection-control management. Media reports have showed the growing financial strain on families caring for measles patients, particularly children requiring hospitalisation. While treatment costs are relatively lower at government hospitals, many families face significantly higher expenses when patients must be transferred between multiple healthcare facilities. The burden is even greater for those seeking care in private hospitals. Relatives of patients said that government hospitals often experience shortages of essential medicines, forcing families to purchase them from private pharmacies. In addition, patients frequently require a range of diagnostic tests, adding to overall treatment costs. Transportation expenses can also rise when patients are referred from one hospital to another while food and other daily necessities further increase the financial burden. Bangladesh continues to have one of the highest levels of out-of-pocket healthcare spending, meaning many people without adequate financial resources struggle to access necessary medical care. Speaking at the launch of an annual report in July 2025, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Catherine Breen Kamkong said that government spending on health remains low, accounting for only 0.7 percent of GDP and 2 percent of the national budget. She expressed hope that these allocations would increase to 5 percent of GDP and 15 percent of the national budget, emphasiing that improving the nation's health is essential for unlocking Bangladesh's future potential. A study conducted by Dr. Abdur Razzaque Sarker of BIDS found that out-of-pocket spending remains the dominant source of healthcare financing in Bangladesh, accounting for 79 percent of total health expenditure in 2024. Public health specialists warn that the emergence of dengue at this critical moment could create a dual burden that may test the resilience of the healthcare system. Lessons from the past Bangladesh has witnessed several devastating dengue outbreaks over the past decade. In 2025 alone, the country recorded 102,861 dengue infections and 413 deaths, making it one of the deadliest years on record. The disease, once largely concentrated in Dhaka, has increasingly spread across districts, reflecting changing mosquito breeding patterns, rapid urbanisation, inadequate waste management and climate-related factors. Health experts have repeatedly warned that warmer temperatures, erratic rainfall and prolonged humid conditions are creating ideal environments for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carrier of dengue. Unlike measles, for which vaccines offer strong protection, dengue prevention depends heavily on vector control, public awareness and early detection. Government steps up preparations Recognising the potential threat, the government has begun preparations months before the expected seasonal surge. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Monday said dengue corners are being established at upazila health complexes nationwide to strengthen treatment capacity. “We do not want to waste any time. We are making all-out preparation to combat dengue,” the minister said while chairing a meeting on dengue preparedness. Authorities have also kept a field hospital ready on the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and indicated that additional field hospitals could be established if necessary. Training programmes for doctors and nurses are set to begin across all seven divisions and district-level facilities with support from the Bangladesh Society of Medicine, UNICEF and other development partners. The government said it has already stocked essential supplies, including diagnostic reagents, testing kits and saline solutions, while additional procurement is being planned. Officials also claim that efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds have been underway in cooperation with city corporations for the past two months. Besides, the government has directed private hospitals across the country to provide free treatment to dengue patients in at least 10 percent of their beds. “Under the new directive, private hospitals will reserve 10 percent of their beds for dengue patients and waive doctors' consultation fees for those receiving treatment. Patients will only have to bear the costs of medicines and meals, , said Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain at an event recently. Besides, private hospitals have been asked to offer discounts of up to 80 percent on diagnostic tests for dengue patients. A pre-monsoon survey conducted by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has identified 63 of its 75 wards as having Aedes mosquito densities above the acceptable threshold, while 27 wards have been classified as highly vulnerable to dengue outbreaks. The survey was conducted from May 12 to May 23 by a 36-member team from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The global dengue challenge Bangladesh’s concerns mirror a broader global trend. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that dengue is spreading faster than ever before, fuelled by climate change, rapid urban growth, population movement and inadequate vector control measures. More than half of the world’s population now lives in areas at risk of dengue transmission. Countries across Asia and Latin America have reported record outbreaks in recent years, overwhelming health systems and increasing mortality rates. South Asia remains particularly vulnerable due to dense populations, seasonal monsoon patterns and challenges in urban planning and sanitation. Public health experts note that Bangladesh’s geographical and climatic conditions place it among the countries most exposed to recurring dengue outbreaks. Are preparations enough? While Bangladesh health authorities insist that lessons from previous outbreaks have informed this year’s preparations, questions remain over whether preventive measures can be effectively implemented at the local level. Experts argue that dengue control cannot rely solely on hospitals and treatment facilities. Entomologist Prof. Kabirul Bashar said, “With a widespread measles outbreak already straining the health system and dengue cases on the rise, the current measures are not enough.” Emphasising the need to address the root causes behind the outbreaks, Bashar said it is encouraging that the authorities are working to raise public awareness alongside seasonal efforts to curb disease transmission. “However, the government needs regular monitoring and sustained supervision to slow down the trend,” he said. He stressed that stricter actions and stronger implementation efforts are necessary to improve the situation.“The government takes decisions, but field-level officials must remain active to ensure timely measles vaccination and early mosquito control measures, including fogging operations for dengue prevention,” he said. Prof Bashar said many initiatives fail to achieve their intended outcomes because of irregular supervision and inadequate preparation. Terming the government's recent dengue-control initiatives as a positive step, he said such measures may provide some immediate relief. “These initiatives can produce short-term results. However, if such efforts become routine, year-round activities rather than seasonal responses, they will have a much greater impact in preventing the surge of dengue and other infectious diseases,” Prof Bashar added.    

A pre-monsoon survey conducted by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has identified 63 of its 75 wards as having Aedes mosquito densities above the acceptable threshold, while 27 wards have been classified as highly vulnerable to dengue outbreaks. DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam revealed the findings during a presentation of the pre-monsoon Aedes larvae survey and an action plan at Nagar Bhaban. The survey was conducted from May 12 to May 23 by a 36-member team from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Data were collected from 2,250 households using the digital KoboToolbox platform. According to the survey, Aedes larvae and pupae were found in 281 households across the city corporation area. Among the affected premises, the highest proportion of larvae was detected in multi-storey buildings, accounting for 35.23 percent of the total, followed by single-family houses (27.76 percent), under-construction buildings (17.44 percent), and semi-pucca houses (14.59 percent). The survey also identified the most common breeding sites. Stagnant water accumulated on floors accounted for 12.26 percent of breeding grounds, followed by buckets (10.34 percent) and plastic drums (8.89 percent). To tackle the growing risk, DSCC will launch a five-day special crash programme from June 7 in the 27 wards identified as the most vulnerable. The initiative will be jointly implemented by the city corporation’s health and waste management departments. A similar programme will be carried out the following week in 36 wards classified as moderately vulnerable. As part of public awareness efforts, DSCC will organise a rally against dengue and chikungunya from Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi on June 6. Similar campaigns will later be held in other parts of the city. Speaking at the event, Abdus Salam stressed that dengue prevention cannot be ensured through government initiatives alone. “Active participation of citizens is essential. Residents must keep their homes and workplaces clean and remove stagnant water every three days to prevent mosquito breeding,” he said. He also called on media professionals to disseminate accurate information to strengthen public awareness and support dengue prevention efforts.