Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka
Dhaka, Sep 21: Bangladesh continues to battle a worsening dengue outbreak, with 12 more deaths reported on Sunday, raising the total death toll in 2025 to 179, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The latest fatalities were recorded in multiple regions, including five in Barishal, three in Dhaka North City, two in Dhaka South City Corporation, and one each in Chattogram and Mymensingh, United News of Bangladesh reported.
During the same 24-hour period, 740 new patients were admitted to hospitals, bringing the total number of confirmed dengue cases in 2025 to 48,831. Currently, 2,021 patients are undergoing treatment in hospitals across the country.
Regional Breakdown of New Cases:
• Barishal: 165
• Dhaka (outside city): 147
• Dhaka North City: 122
• Dhaka South City: 115
• Chattogram: 77
• Khulna: 52
• Rajshahi: 28
• Mymensingh: 22
• Sylhet: 9
• Rangpur: 3
Experts Warn of Rapid Deterioration
Public health experts have raised concerns that the dengue situation in 2025 is deteriorating faster than it did in 2024, when the country recorded 575 dengue-related deaths—the highest annual toll in its history.
They have called for urgent mosquito control measures, improved hospital preparedness, and rapid government response to curb the rising tide of infections.
Government Response: Hospitals Ordered to Strengthen Dengue Care
On September 16, the DGHS issued a new directive mandating public hospitals to strengthen dengue treatment facilities. According to the guidelines:
• Dedicated dengue wards must be established in all hospitals.
• A specialised medical team should be assigned to manage dengue and chikungunya patients.
• Hospitals must ensure availability of NS-1 tests, emergency services, sufficient medicines, and ICU support where necessary.
• A multi-specialist board, including physicians from medicine, pediatrics, and other relevant departments, will oversee patient care.
• The same medical board is responsible for attending to suspected cases in outpatient departments.
• Hospital directors must coordinate with city corporations and municipalities to conduct mosquito eradication and cleanliness drives around hospital premises.
Additionally, the DGHS has mandated that weekly dengue coordination meetings be held at hospitals every Saturday, chaired by the director, superintendent, and civil surgeon.
With the monsoon season continuing and mosquito breeding conditions persisting, the threat remains high. Health officials and citizens alike are being urged to take preventive measures seriously as the country faces one of its most severe dengue outbreaks in recent years.