Although the monsoon season has passed, rain continues to fall intermittently almost every day. At the same time, dengue infections are also increasing. As a result, the dengue situation across the country is becoming alarming. The number of infections and deaths from this mosquito-borne disease is rising every day.
In just the first five days of September, 16 people died of dengue and 5,186 were infected. Young people account for the largest share of those affected. Working-age young adults, in particular, are being infected at a higher rate, with significant consequences for their families and workplaces.
At noon yesterday, Saturday, we spoke with Marjan Howlader, who was admitted to Bed No. 420 of the dengue-dedicated male ward at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in the capital.
The 24-year-old works at a garment factory called Tamim Fashion Limited in Ashulia. He has been suffering from dengue fever for six days. His first test did not detect dengue, but a second blood test confirmed the infection.
He has been unable to go to work, while his wife, Rupali Begum, is staying at the hospital to care for him. He was admitted with a high fever, headache, and vomiting. He said he is worried about both his family and his job.
A similar situation has befallen 23-year-old Md. Zayedul Islam. He works as a construction mason. He has been admitted to the hospital since August 31 and is staying in Bed No. 43. He lives in Mohammadpur.
He said he has spent Tk 8,000 to Tk 10,000 over the past few days. Having suffered from dengue fever for six days, he has been unable to go to work. He has a wife and a son at home. When asked what the money had been spent on, he said he cannot eat the food provided by the hospital.
He has to have his CBC blood test done outside and has also had to buy medicines. He complained that his body had developed blood clots from bites by small cockroaches on the hospital bed, and that the hospital toilets were unusable. “They are so dirty that it is impossible to use them,” he said.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jony Hossain developed a fever on the night of August 30. He works at a garment factory in the Konabari area of Gazipur. He was admitted to the hospital on the night of September 4.
He had initially received treatment at a private hospital, but his condition was deteriorating rather than improving. Doctors therefore referred him to this hospital.
An analysis of statistics provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) shows that young people are being affected by dengue at a higher rate this year. This is having negative consequences for both families and workplaces.
Most of those infected are the sole earning members of their families. So far this year, among dengue patients admitted to hospitals across the country, people aged 21 to 40 constitute the largest group. This age group also accounts for the highest number of deaths.
Dr. Mushtaq Hossain, an adviser and former scientific officer at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), told Ittefaq that hardly any effective measures are being taken to control dengue.
He said mosquito control efforts need to extend down to the community level. Dengue testing facilities must also be made available at the community level. Although major hospitals have treatment facilities, that alone cannot control dengue.
The public health expert said epidemiologists are forecasting that dengue infections will continue to rise. He noted that dengue epidemics tend to occur every four years, with the most recent major outbreak occurring in 2023.
Another such outbreak could occur toward the end of this year. “Therefore, unless we change our policies on mosquito control and patient management, there is unlikely to be any significant improvement in the dengue situation,” he said.
Zahidul Islam, a trainee doctor assigned to the dengue ward at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, told Ittefaq that people have become somewhat more aware of the disease.
Some are coming to the hospital as soon as they develop a fever because they do not want to stay at home out of fear that their condition may worsen. Others are coming only after complications have begun. “We are seeing both types of cases,” he said. “We tell patients that if they develop a fever, they should not take any medicine other than paracetamol.”
Infection and Death Rates Highest Among Young People
An analysis of age-based statistics from the Directorate General of Health Services shows that this year the highest numbers of dengue cases have been recorded among young people aged 21–35, particularly those aged 26–30.
The 21–25 age group has been affected the most, with 5,868 cases reported so far. The next-highest number is among those aged 25–30, with 5,819 cases. In addition, 4,026 people aged 31–35 have been infected.
The statistics show that young people are not only accounting for the highest number of infections but also a significant number of deaths. The highest number of deaths—16—has occurred among those aged 26–30. Another 14 people aged 36–40 have died, followed by 13 deaths among those aged 46–50.
According to DGHS statistics, a large proportion of dengue patients admitted to hospitals this year are young people who are employed in various sectors and are earning members responsible for supporting their families. T
heir prolonged hospital stays due to dengue are having negative consequences both at home and in the workplace.
Dengue Situation Over the Past 24 Hours
In the 24 hours up to 8 a.m. yesterday, Saturday, two more people died of dengue across the country, while 988 new patients were admitted to hospitals.
With this, the total number of dengue deaths so far this year has reached 113, while the number of hospitalised patients has risen to 41,032, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
According to a dengue-related press release, among the newly admitted patients, 102 were admitted to hospitals in areas under Dhaka North City Corporation and 149 in areas under Dhaka South City Corporation. Outside the two city corporations, 176 patients were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka Division.
In addition, 171 patients were admitted in Barishal Division, 123 in Chattogram, 163 in Khulna, 50 in Mymensingh, 49 in Rajshahi, and six in Rangpur.
It is worth noting that the Directorate General of Health Services began keeping records of dengue hospitalisations and deaths in 2000. The largest outbreak on record occurred in 2023, when 321,179 people were hospitalised with dengue and a record 1,705 people died.
In 2024, dengue infections declined somewhat, with 101,214 cases reported nationwide and 575 deaths. In 2025, 102,861 people were infected with dengue, of whom 423 died.
