Key points
- Experts warn August outbreak could be far worse
- Hospitals under strain as infections spread beyond Dhaka
- Climate change, rain creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions
ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh is currently witnessing a sharp rise in dengue cases and fatalities, prompting health experts to warn that August could bring an even more severe outbreak unless immediate and decisive measures are taken.
According to official figures, dengue has claimed 101 lives and infected 24,183 people so far this year, placing immense pressure on the country’s already stretched healthcare system.
Bangladesh dengue deaths top 100, August could be worse https://t.co/aRrqQNGOcj https://t.co/aRrqQNGOcj
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) August 11, 2025
The rise in cases has been accompanied by a concerning increase in deaths. Nineteen people have died from the mosquito-borne disease in August alone, following 41 deaths in July — more than double the 19 recorded in June, according to Reuters.
“The situation is critical. The virus has already spread widely across the country, and without urgent intervention, hospitals could become overwhelmed,” said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University.
Potential peak
“August may see at least three times as many cases as July, with a potential peak in September,” he added.
Health authorities are urging the public to use mosquito repellent, sleep under nets, and eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed.
“There is an urgent need for coordinated fogging operations and community-led clean-up campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas,” Bashar noted.
Experts highlight that climate change — along with warm, humid weather and intermittent rainfall — has created ideal conditions for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit the dengue virus.
Major hotspot
Although Dhaka remains a major hotspot, the disease is spreading rapidly throughout the country. Rising case numbers in rural areas are putting additional strain on local health centres, many of which are ill-equipped to manage severe dengue cases.
Doctors are advising that anyone experiencing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue should seek medical attention promptly to prevent complications or fatal outcomes.
With the peak season for dengue yet to arrive, health specialists stress that community engagement, alongside robust mosquito control efforts led by the government, will be essential to prevent what could become one of Bangladesh’s worst outbreaks in recent history. The deadliest year to date was 2023, when the country recorded 1,705 deaths and over 321,000 infections.
