Five die of dengue in a single day, highest daily toll this season
As the monsoon begins to intensify across Bangladesh, dengue infections are rising at an alarming rate nationwide. Over the past 24 hours, five people have died from the mosquito-borne disease—the highest single-day death toll recorded so far this season—while another 124 patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country.
The information was disclosed on Monday (June 29) in the regular dengue situation report issued by the Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to the DGHS, two of the five deceased were from Chattogram Division, while the remaining victims included one resident each from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), and Mymensingh Division.
Of the 124 newly hospitalized dengue patients, 70 are men and 54 are women. At present, 102 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals within Dhaka city.
From January 1 to June 29 this year, a total of 5,924 dengue patients have been hospitalized across Bangladesh. Of them, 5,455 have recovered and returned home.
Official statistics show that the cumulative death toll from dengue has reached 18 this year. Men account for a slightly higher proportion of both infections and fatalities than women.
Overall, 62.1 percent of dengue cases have been reported among men, compared to 37.9 percent among women. In terms of fatalities, 55.6 percent were male and 44.4 percent were female.
An analysis of age-wise data indicates that dengue infections are most prevalent among teenagers and young adults this year. The highest number of cases has been recorded among people aged 16 to 20 years, with 800 infections, followed by those aged 21 to 25 years (759 cases) and 26 to 30 years (732 cases).
Sharp Surge in June
While the dengue situation remained relatively under control during the first five months of the year, the number of infections surged dramatically in June.
Between January and May, monthly infections ranged between 300 and 700 cases. However, June alone recorded a staggering 2,727 dengue infections and 13 deaths, marking the sharpest monthly increase so far this year.
Earlier, on Friday (June 26), State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam warned that Dhaka is now at high risk of a dengue outbreak.
"Dhaka is currently in an extremely alarming situation," the state minister said. "During inspection drives conducted at seven locations the day before yesterday, Aedes mosquito larvae were found in three houses, including a restaurant. Nearly half of the residential buildings in Dhaka South also tested positive for larvae. The situation is even worse in the basements of high-rise buildings and government residential quarters."
He said the government has been distributing awareness leaflets and placing warning stickers on buildings where mosquito larvae are detected. Authorities are also imposing financial penalties on owners of under-construction buildings where larvae continue to be found despite repeated warnings, with imprisonment for non-payment of fines.
Addressing city residents through the media, the minister said the government's primary objective is not to fine or imprison people but to save lives. "Preventive measures against dengue must reach every household through the media," he said.
Mir Shahe Alam also stressed that it is impossible for the city corporations alone to control dengue without active public participation.
Although anti-mosquito drives are being carried out regularly, he said the success of the campaign ultimately depends on residents, as the health and safety of every family and child are directly linked to dengue prevention.
He urged citizens to ensure that no water remains stagnant for more than three days on rooftops, in courtyards, basements, flower pots, coconut shells, paint cans, discarded tyres, or any other containers. Residents should empty accumulated water every three days and regularly clean their homes and surrounding areas. He also called on the public to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste.
The state minister further announced that mosquito larvicide tablets are available free of charge at the regional and ward offices of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). He encouraged residents to collect and use the tablets to eliminate mosquito larvae in stagnant water.
He also called on the media to strengthen public awareness campaigns on dengue prevention and requested the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) to instruct its members to maintain cleanliness at construction sites and residential buildings.