Amid a prolonged measles outbreak, the country has recorded five deaths from dengue — the highest daily fatalities this year — signalling growing challenges for disease surveillance and prevention systems.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 124 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals between 8am on Sunday and 8am on Monday.
The DGHS also confirmed four additional child deaths with measles symptoms in the same 24-hour reporting period, bringing the total number of deaths this year to 716.
With the latest fatalities, the total number of dengue deaths this year has risen to 18, while confirmed infections have reached 5,924.
The report said that among the deceased, two were from Chattogram division, while one each was from Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation and Mymensingh division.
During the last 24 hours, Barishal division recorded the highest number of hospital admissions with 37 dengue patients. This was followed by Chattogram division with 28 cases, Dhaka North City Corporation with 16, Dhaka South City Corporation with 17, Khulna division with 14, Rajshahi division with eight, Dhaka division (excluding city corporations) with two, and Mymensingh division with two.
Of the newly admitted patients, 70 were male and 54 female. By age group, the highest number of infections—16 cases—were recorded among those aged 16 to 20 years. Among the five deceased, three were female and two male.
During the same period, 100 patients were discharged from hospital. So far this year, 5,455 patients have recovered and left hospital. At present, 451 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country.
There is growing concern within the government over the spread of dengue during the monsoon season. Health Minister Sardar Md Shakhawat Husain has himself expressed concern on several occasions.
In response, a taskforce under the National Committee on Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases carried out operations in Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation areas last week.
In Gulshan-2 and Banani under Dhaka North City Corporation, teams conducted drives to search for and destroy Aedes mosquito larvae in residential buildings, under-construction sites and commercial establishments.
Alongside larva destruction, awareness activities including loudspeaker announcements, leaflet distribution and stickers were also carried out. Separate fines of Tk50,000 each were imposed on a restaurant on Road 107 in Gulshan and an under-construction building on Road 24 in Banani after Aedes larvae were found.
In Dhaka South City Corporation, special drives and mobile court operations were conducted in Jigatola and South Kutubkhali canal area in Jatrabari. Owners of two under-construction private buildings were fined Tk50,000 each, totalling Tk100,000, after Aedes larvae were detected.
Authorities also identified waste accumulation and conditions conducive to larval breeding in government residential areas, warning relevant authorities and residents.
However, dengue prevention activities are largely visible only in Dhaka and a few major cities. The disease has now spread to upazila level areas, where preventive measures are either minimal or almost absent.
Measles outbreak continues
In a separate update, the DGHS confirmed four additional child deaths with measles symptoms in the same 24-hour reporting period, bringing the total number of deaths this year to 716.
Of these, 93 cases have been confirmed as measles through laboratory testing, while the remaining 623 were reported based on symptoms.
During the same period, 1,004 new suspected measles cases were reported, raising the total number of suspected cases to 100,211. Laboratory confirmation of 141 additional cases has taken total confirmed infections to 11,851.
