Bangladesh records highest single-day dengue cases this year; 9 more die

Bangladesh today (5 October) recorded 1,042 new dengue cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day tally this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In the same period, nine people died from the mosquito-borne disease, marking the second-highest daily toll of 2025.

Dr Md Moinul Ahsan, director (Hospital and Clinics) at DGHS, called the deaths "deeply unfortunate."

In a statement issued today, he said a review found that seven of the nine patients died on the same day they were admitted because they sought treatment too late, while one died the day after admission.

"Delaying hospital visits or consulting doctors late makes it much harder to treat critical dengue cases," Dr Ahsan said. He urged anyone with a fever to get tested for dengue immediately at the nearest hospital, and if positive, to seek medical care without delay.

He added that all hospitals are equipped with dengue testing kits, saline, and medicines. "Early detection, treatment following national guidelines, and effective mosquito control are essential to reduce deaths," he said.

Public health expert Dr M Mushtuq Husain told The Business Standard that conventional methods of tackling dengue are not reducing infections or deaths. He cautioned that intermittent rains could increase transmission once the rainfall ends.

"If mosquito control measures are not strengthened, the situation could worsen over the next two months," he said.

Since January, the country has reported a total of 4,98,907 dengue infections, while the nationwide death toll has risen to 212.

Of the nine recent deaths, five were women and four men. Four patients died at Mugda Medical College Hospital, two at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and one each at DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital, Mitford Hospital, and Cox's Bazar 250-bed Hospital.

Currently, 2,439 dengue patients are receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.

Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives.