Dengue cases surge, Sept off to alarming start

Dengue infections and deaths are once again on the rise, with the first half of September showing a sharp spike, raising questions about the effectiveness of government initiatives to tackle the menace.

In just 12 days into September, 23 deaths and more than 5,451 hospitalisations have been reported, according to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

If the trend continues, September is set to surpass the peak months of July and August.

August saw 39 deaths and 10,496 cases over the entire month, while July recorded 41 deaths and 10,684 cases.

In June, there were 19 deaths and nearly 6,000 cases, with significantly lower numbers reported between January and May.

The total number of deaths this year up to Thursday was 145, while cases stood at 36,927, DGHS data shows.

Experts say the recent spell of intermittent rain and the lack of sustained, nationwide efforts to control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes -- the carriers of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus -- have created ideal conditions for the disease.

"We urgently need intensified mosquito-control efforts in hotspots," said entomologist GM Saifur Rahman. "This includes locating breeding zones, eliminating adult mosquitoes, and ensuring sustained action across the country."

He also called for community mobilisation through targeted awareness campaigns.

Jahangirnagar University entomologist Prof Kabirul Bashar said heavy rainfall in September and October might have temporarily reduced mosquito density in Dhaka, but intermittent rain could worsen the outbreak.

He called for targeted vector control around patients' homes and hospitals to curb transmission.

"Hospitals can become transmission hubs if Aedes mosquitoes bite infected patients and then others," he warned.

"Without active community participation in eliminating breeding grounds, controlling this outbreak will be extremely difficult."

Dr HM Nazmul Ahsan, associate professor at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, said delayed hospitalisation is a major factor contributing to fatalities.

Currently, four viral infections -- influenza, dengue, chikungunya, and Covid-19 -- are circulating simultaneously in the country.

He recommended early admission for high-risk groups, including patients with comorbidities, the elderly, and pregnant women.

"Many patients fail to recognise warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, bleeding, extreme fatigue, or a sharp fall in urination and platelet count. By the time they arrive at hospitals, their condition is often critical," he explained.

Many critically ill patients are referred to Dhaka hospitals from outside the capital, he said, adding that delays in referral from districts are another major factor contributing to fatalities.

He urged district-level hospitals to strictly follow the national dengue treatment guidelines and treat patients locally.

Public health expert Mohammad Mushtuq Husain echoed the call for early treatment and stronger healthcare capacity outside Dhaka.

He emphasised the need to strengthen secondary care hospitals to better manage vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and those with comorbidities, so they can be stabilised before referral to tertiary hospitals.