As the spread of a new type (sub-variant) of the coronavirus increases in India and neighbouring countries, Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an alert. In several Indian states including Kerala, Gujarat, and West Bengal, infections from NB.1.8.1 and other variants are rising.
As a result, instructions have been given to increase health screening and monitoring at land, sea, and airports in Bangladesh to prevent possible infections.
A directive signed by Director of the Communicable Disease Control Branch Professor Dr Halimur Rashid states that thermal scanners should be used at points of entry, health desks must remain active, and necessary protective equipment should be stocked to prevent virus entry through international travelers. It also advises avoiding unnecessary travel to high-risk countries, including India.
The general public is advised to wash hands frequently with soap, wear masks, maintain social distancing, and stay home if unwell.
In suspected Covid cases, people are instructed to contact the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) hotline.
The coronavirus pandemic, which first spread globally in December 2019, caused nearly 30,000 deaths in Bangladesh. While there were no deaths in 2024, a death has been reported in Dhaka in 2025.
The Ministry of Health has urged people to remain aware and cautious to prevent new infections from spreading.