At least nine more people died of dengue in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, while a record 1,042 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country — the highest single-day figure of the year.
With the latest fatalities and hospitalisations, the official death toll since January rose to 212, while the total number of hospitalisations climbed to 49,907, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
The number of previous highest single-day hospitalisations was 845 on September 28.
Of the nine who died in 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, seven died on the day of admission and the remaining two died a day after admission, officials at the hospitals said.
All of them suffered from dengue shock syndrome, which the DGHS identified as the leading cause of deaths this year, replacing the previously dominant dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Of the nine deaths, four occurred at Dhaka’s Mugda Medical College Hospital, two at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, one at the DNCC COVID-19 Hospital, one at Mitford Hospital, and one at the 250-bed Cox’s Bazar District Hospital.
September recorded the highest number of hospitalisations and deaths so far this year, with 15,866 admissions and 76 deaths. In the first four days of October, 2,565 patients have been hospitalised and 14 deaths have been reported.
Due to government holidays on Friday and Saturday, dengue data from districts outside Dhaka are often delayed, with consolidated figures typically released on Sundays. As a result, Sunday bulletins usually show a higher number of admissions and deaths.
As of Sunday morning, 2,439 dengue patients were receiving treatment across the country. Of them, 787 are receiving treatment in Dhaka hospitals and 1,652 others are in hospitals outside the capital.
Amid the surge in fatalities and hospitalisations, the health directorate urged citizens to get tested for dengue immediately after the onset of fever.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the health authorities termed the deaths ‘deeply unfortunate’, noting that seven of the nine patients died on the day of admission, largely because they arrived at hospitals in critical condition.
‘In this situation, all patients with fever are strongly advised to be tested for dengue at the nearest hospital and, if diagnosed, to seek medical attention without delay,’ the statement said.
The DGHS added that the health department remained on high alert, with adequate stocks of dengue testing kits, saline, and medicines available in all hospitals. However, it stressed that reducing deaths depends on early diagnosis, adherence to treatment guidelines, and effective mosquito control measures.
The statement called for cooperation from all concerned sectors to combat the ongoing outbreak and prevent further loss of life.
Monthly data show a sharp escalation from mid-year.
According to the health directorate data, 1,161 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals in January, 374 in February, 336 in March, 701 in April, 1,773 in May, 5,951 in June, 10,684 in July, and 10,496 others were admitted to different health facilities in August.
Deaths followed a similar trend, with 41 deaths in July and 39 in August, compared with single-digit figures in the early months.
Dengue has become one of Bangladesh’s most persistent public health crises since the first major outbreak in 2000, which left 93 people dead and over 5,500 hospitalised.
The country experienced its worst-ever outbreak in 2023, when dengue claimed 1,705 lives and hospitalised 3,21,179 people — more than double the total deaths recorded between 2000 and 2022 combined.
Another severe outbreak followed in 2024, killing 575 people and hospitalising over 100,000.
Public health experts warn that without sustainable solutions, the deadly cycle will continue. Prolonged rains, rapid urbanisation, and poor waste management have created ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, while authorities remain reliant on temporary measures such as fogging and spraying.
