BANGLADESH is witnessing a troubling rise in vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and Chikungunya. The country鈥檚 worst dengue outbreak occurred in 2023, when government estimates recorded 321,179 infections and 1,705 deaths. By 2024, the numbers had fallen sharply to 8,702 infections and 71 deaths. Yet as of September 26, 2025, infections have surged to 44,692, more than five times the figure for 2024, and deaths have crossed twice that figure to 188. These numbers reveal a grim reality: the spread of the Aedes mosquito, the primary vector of dengue and chikungunya, is increasingly beyond our control, and the current system for controlling it is faltering at a critical time.
Mosquito control is not a matter of luck; it requires systematic management of breeding grounds supported by rigorous surveillance. Historically, the Communicable Disease Control unit under the Directorate General of Health Services conducted annual mosquito density surveys in three phases: pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon. Pre-monsoon surveys established baseline mosquito density, enabling the Ministry of Local Government to take informed control measures. Monsoon surveys identified population spikes, while post-monsoon surveys laid the groundwork for the following year鈥檚 interventions. This regular rhythm allowed authorities to respond effectively to seasonal fluctuations and target resources where they were most needed.
Tragically, the suspension of Operational Plan funding, which supported the CDC鈥檚 survey work, has disrupted this vital cycle. The post-monsoon survey of 2024 effectively became the pre-monsoon survey of 2025, while the monsoon survey for 2025 has yet to commence, and there is no certainty it will occur at all. Without these surveys, mosquito density remains unmapped, leaving local authorities, City Corporations, and communities in the dark. Effective dengue prevention requires at least three surveys per year, ideally conducted by multiple organisations. The loss of this surveillance capacity threatens to render mosquito control reactive, rather than preventative.
The warning signs are evident. Diseases once largely confined to Dhaka are now spreading rapidly to rural areas. Mosquito populations are increasing daily, breeding grounds are expanding, and viral variants are evolving. These dynamics make timely and coordinated interventions imperative. Effective control demands a comprehensive strategy: evaluating the efficacy of insecticides, improving application methods, training and supervising field workers, and engaging the public in identifying and eliminating breeding sites. Neglecting these measures jeopardises lives, undermines public health infrastructure and risks overwhelming the healthcare system.
Accurate mapping of mosquito density is essential. Without it, local government institutions cannot allocate resources efficiently, high-risk areas go unmonitored and control efforts become haphazard. Conventional vector-control measures, including pesticide application and public health campaigns, will falter without evidence-based planning. Public awareness will decline, and preventable infections will claim lives unnecessarily. Vector-borne diseases, layered on top of the nation鈥檚 existing burden of non-communicable diseases, push an already vulnerable population closer to systemic health collapse.
Integrated Vector Management offers a viable solution. IVM is a holistic, evidence-based approach combining surveillance, chemical and non-chemical control and active community participation. Its successful implementation depends on restoring funding, maintaining a consistent survey schedule, and coordinating activities between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Local Government, and local authorities. The approach requires precision and diligence: testing insecticide efficacy, monitoring application methods, supervising field workers, evaluating interventions and educating the public. Every mosquito removed, every breeding site destroyed and every survey completed represents a life protected.
The absence of timely surveys and the consequent lack of actionable data leave authorities unable to prevent outbreaks effectively. Mosquito-borne diseases are no longer confined to cities, they are moving into villages, affecting communities previously considered low-risk. Without intervention, the frequency and severity of outbreaks will increase, and the nation will continue to suffer preventable loss of life. Financial and operational support to maintain these surveys is not optional; it is a matter of national health security.
The broader lesson is clear: the fight against dengue and chikungunya is not only a technical challenge but also a test of governance, planning and social responsibility. Timely surveillance, robust public health interventions, and community engagement are non-negotiable. The urgency is real and the solutions are known. It falls to the government, public health authorities, and citizens to act decisively, ensuring that preventable mosquito-borne diseases no longer claim lives unnecessarily. By reinstating survey operations, applying IVM diligently and coordinating across ministries and communities, Bangladesh can transform its response from reactive to proactive, safeguarding lives and protecting the health of future generations.
Ultimately, controlling dengue is about more than numbers; it is about protecting human life and the functioning of the health system. Each survey conducted, each breeding ground eliminated and each community educated represents a step toward resilience and preparedness. The time for complacency has passed. Coordinated, proactive action can prevent further loss of life, strengthen public health infrastructure, and restore confidence in the nation鈥檚 ability to manage mosquito-borne threats effectively. Integrated Vector Management, combined with political will and community participation, offers the path forward and it is urgent that Bangladesh seizes it.
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Professor Dr Md Golam Sharower is head of department of Entomology at National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM).