Bangladesh is grappling with an unprecedented surge in dengue fever cases, transforming what was once a seasonal illness into a year-round crisis. Climate change and urbanization have created favorable breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for spreading dengue, leaving hospitals overwhelmed and healthcare systems stretched to their limits.
The epidemic is particularly severe in pediatric wards, where limited beds force children to share space, some as young as infants, suffering from the severe effects of the virus. Doctors and health officials in Dhaka are sounding the alarm, describing this as a “new normal” for dengue in Bangladesh.
Hospitals across Dhaka, including Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, are overflowing with dengue patients, especially children. Dr. Fazlul Haque, a senior physician, described how patient numbers continue to rise, despite the usual post-monsoon decline.
“Normally, around this time, we would expect the flow of patients to ebb,” he said. “But for the last three weeks, the number of dengue cases has been increasing.”
The dengue ward for children, led by Dr. Sabina Tabassum Anika, tells a similar story. “We get dengue patients almost every month,” Anika said. “With cases higher than previous months, we’re assigning two children to each hospital bed to accommodate them.” The surge has added significant strain on hospital resources and the already underfunded healthcare system.
In October alone, Bangladesh recorded 134 dengue-related deaths, the deadliest month this year. By early November, more than 65,000 cases were reported, bringing the total to 326 deaths in 2024. Although cases are lower than last year’s peak of over 1,000 fatalities, health professionals remain alarmed at the shift from seasonal to continuous infections. Severe dengue cases, which often involve life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding, respiratory issues, and organ failure, are also on the rise.
Climate change has transformed Bangladesh’s environment, creating conditions conducive to year-round breeding of the Aedes mosquito. The mosquito, distinguishable by its black and white striped legs, typically bred during the monsoon season when stagnant water is prevalent. However, changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and humidity now allow it to breed throughout the year, expanding its threat beyond the rainy season.
Warmer temperatures and extended periods of rain have led to more frequent and prolonged dengue outbreaks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is a significant driver in the rapid spread of mosquito-borne diseases, with dengue cases worldwide roughly doubling each year since 2021. From January to August 2024 alone, over 12.3 million cases and 7,900 deaths were reported globally.
Bangladesh’s healthcare infrastructure, already struggling to meet demands, is under increasing pressure due to the relentless dengue crisis. Hospitals in Dhaka are experiencing significant overcrowding, with children’s wards being the hardest hit. Most facilities are under-resourced and lack the staff and equipment needed to handle a crisis of this magnitude.
Medical supplies like saline drips and other supportive care items are in high demand. The lack of space and resources has led to concerning situations in which children with severe cases, including hemorrhagic fever and organ failure, are receiving suboptimal care due to hospital limitations. Healthcare professionals are overwhelmed and struggling to provide adequate treatment to patients who often require extensive observation and round-the-clock care.
To address the gap, the Ministry of Health has mobilized temporary resources, including hiring more health workers and procuring additional medical supplies. Yet, this temporary relief falls short of addressing the scale of the crisis. Experts argue that without a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, Bangladesh will struggle to contain the dengue epidemic.
Public awareness is another critical factor contributing to the spread of dengue in Bangladesh. Sheikh Daud Adnan, a representative from the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit, noted that preventive measures are often only enacted after an outbreak.
“Too often, we delay and act only after an outbreak,” Adnan said. “People still don’t fully believe that dengue can strike any time of the year, often mistaking it for a seasonal fever.”
Many communities lack awareness about the necessity of year-round precautions, such as removing standing water from their homes and surroundings to prevent mosquito breeding. According to the CDC, common mosquito breeding grounds include open containers, flowerpots, discarded tires, and clogged gutters. Regular awareness campaigns are needed to encourage the public to adopt preventive measures, but these efforts have been inconsistent, especially in rural areas.
Effective vector control remains one of the primary strategies for managing dengue, yet Bangladesh faces challenges in implementing it comprehensively. Spraying insecticides to eliminate adult mosquitoes and applying larvicides to kill larvae in stagnant water have proven effective when consistently carried out. However, experts warn that these measures must be implemented routinely rather than seasonally, as climate change has altered mosquito breeding patterns.
In addition to chemical control measures, some communities have turned to biological control solutions, such as introducing fish that consume mosquito larvae in water bodies. However, these measures are rarely sustainable at a larger scale without long-term planning, regular monitoring, and support from health authorities.
A coordinated approach involving government bodies, healthcare providers, and local communities is essential to achieving sustained reductions in dengue transmission. Public health officials recommend a national campaign emphasizing year-round prevention, urging people to cover water containers, use mosquito nets, and deploy mosquito-repellent solutions indoors.
As Bangladesh struggles with dengue, innovations in technology and data analytics are proving to be critical tools. Researchers and public health officials are exploring methods to predict outbreak patterns using data-driven models. By analyzing weather patterns, temperature fluctuations, and humidity levels, predictive models help health officials anticipate potential spikes in dengue cases.
Technology could play a pivotal role in the early identification of outbreaks, allowing officials to deploy resources effectively and prevent cases from escalating. Furthermore, mobile health platforms can be utilized to disseminate public health information and encourage people to take preventive actions.
Some local startups have even started piloting smartphone applications that provide real-time updates on dengue prevalence in specific regions. However, the widespread use of these tools remains a challenge in areas with limited internet connectivity or where technology adoption is low.
