Dengue Cases Surge in Bangladesh: 792 Admitted, 5 Dead in Day

Sunday, November 16, 2025
3 mins read
Dengue Cases Surge in Bangladesh: 792 Admitted, 5 Dead in Day
Picture Credit: The Daily Ittefaq

Bangladesh reported a sharp Dengue cases surge with 792 new hospital admissions and five deaths in the 24 hours ending 8am Saturday, pushing the 2025 total to 83,858 infections and 331 fatalities, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The mosquito-borne virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti, continues to ravage communities despite seasonal shifts. Admissions spanned all eight divisions, with Dhaka North City Corporation alone receiving 226 patients. This outbreak, now in its eleventh month, underscores persistent vulnerabilities in urban sanitation and vector control.

Why This Outbreak Matters Across South Asia

Dengue cases surge in Bangladesh signals broader risks for South Asia, where shared monsoon patterns and dense populations amplify cross-border threats. Neighbouring India and Pakistan reported over 20,000 combined dengue cases in 2025’s third quarter, per World Health Organization data. Bangladesh’s 331 deaths exceed last year’s 575 total, straining regional health resources and prompting calls for collaborative surveillance. Unchecked, this could overwhelm cross-border migrant flows and trade hubs like Dhaka’s ports. Early intervention here could model prevention for the subcontinent, where Aedes mosquitoes thrive in warming climates.

Daily Surge Pushes Admissions to 792 Nationwide

The latest DGHS bulletin, released Saturday, detailed the 24-hour spike from 8am Friday to 8am Saturday. Five patients succumbed in Dhaka North City Corporation areas: three at Mugda Medical College Hospital and two at Dhaka North City Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital.

Breakdown by region showed heavy concentration in urban centres. Dhaka North City Corporation topped with 226 admissions, followed by Chittagong division’s city corporation at 136 and Dhaka South City Corporation at 121. Rural pockets fared better but still contributed: Barisal division outside corporations saw 125 cases, Dhaka division outside at 107, Mymensingh at 60, Khulna at 15, and Sylhet at 2.

Demographics revealed 63.9% male patients and 36.1% female. Men aged 21-30 dominated admissions, while women aged 16-25 were most affected. DGHS Director General Prof Dr Abu Jafor Md. Humayun Kadir noted in an October briefing, “This year, the number of dengue infections is higher than last year, but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower.” He stressed early detection, adding that initial-stage dengue can receive home treatment under supervision.

This daily tally marks a 72% jump from the prior week’s average of 460 admissions, per DGHS trends. Cumulative recoveries stand at 79,460, leaving over 4,000 active cases.

Dhaka Hospitals Face Dengue Overload Amid Peak Demand

Dhaka hospitals dengue overload has reached critical levels, with 1,150 patients under treatment in the capital alone as of November 15. Facilities like Mugda Medical College Hospital report bed occupancy exceeding 120%, forcing corridor setups and delayed care.

A DGHS spokesperson told reporters on November 14, “We recorded 460 new dengue patients hospitalised across the country during the last 24 hours,” highlighting the strain. No deaths occurred that day, but the toll held at 326 before the weekend surge. Presently, 3,337 patients occupy beds outside Dhaka.

Experts link the overload to delayed reporting. Prof Dr Abu Jafor Md. Humayun Kadir warned in his October 9 press briefing on the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign-2025, “Over half of dengue deaths occur on the first day of hospital admission.” He urged, “Seek medical help early; dengue detected in the initial stage can be treated safely at home with proper care.”

Urban density exacerbates the crisis. Dhaka’s unplanned growth fosters stagnant water breeding sites, with 52.7% of 2025 cases and 68.21% of deaths originating here. Bangladesh’s 2025 infections surpass 2024’s 101,214 total, though the case fatality rate dips to 0.39% from 0.57%.

Bangladesh Dengue Outbreak 2025 Deaths Climb to 331

Bangladesh dengue outbreak 2025 deaths hit 331 by November 15, a stark rise from 326 on November 13 and 313 on November 9. The weekend’s five fatalities all in Dhaka elevate the toll, with males comprising 52.7% of victims.

Earlier bulletins captured the acceleration. On November 13, three deaths and 833 admissions raised cases to 82,606. November 9 saw six deaths alongside 1,195 hospitalisations, totalling 78,543 infections. DGHS data shows 62.3% of patients male, mirroring fatality splits.

Historical context amplifies the severity. 2024 claimed 575 lives amid 101,214 cases; 2023’s 1,705 deaths shattered records. Yet, Prof Dr Abu Jafor Md. Humayun Kadir observed lower proportional mortality in 2025, Crediting improved diagnostics. “The death rate in proportion to infections is lower,” he stated.

Vector shifts fuel the outbreak. DENV-2 dominates, per WHO reports, heightening severe secondary infections. November’s 29,652 historical cases underscore off-season persistence, driven by climate anomalies.

Urgent Action on Dengue Control in Bangladesh Gains Momentum

Urgent action dengue control Bangladesh intensifies as authorities deploy fogging teams and awareness drives. The Health Ministry allocated BDT 500 million for vector management in October, targeting high-risk zones.

DGHS coordinates with city corporations for larvicide applications. A November 10 bulletin reported 2,374 weekly cases and eight deaths, prompting expanded surveillance. “We must normalise proactive measures,” a ministry official said in a press release.

Community efforts include household clean-ups in Dhaka slums, where 61.1% of patients are male. WHO supplied 1,600 medical units, including haematocrit machines, in July to bolster diagnostics.

Challenges persist: rural underreporting and climate-driven breeding. Experts advocate multi-agency coordination, echoing Prof Giasuddin Khondkar’s call for “structural reforms in waste management.”

Background: A Year of Escalating Dengue Threat

Dengue first struck Bangladesh in 1964, but 2000 marked the inaugural major outbreak with 5,551 cases and 93 deaths. Cycles intensified post-2019’s 101,354 infections and 164 fatalities.

2025’s surge began in April, defying monsoon norms. By July, 19,120 cases and 73 deaths signalled alarm. September peaked at 3,940 weekly cases, per SEARO. Cumulative figures eclipse 2024, with urban-rural shifts: southern divisions report 2.30 incidences per 1,000 versus north’s 0.50.

Serotype dynamics DENV-2 and DENV-3 predominance drive severity. Urbanisation, deforestation, and high density compound risks, affecting 40 million annually per estimates.

What’s Next: Bracing for Prolonged Dengue Vigilance

As winter curbs mosquitoes, dengue cases surge Bangladesh demands sustained vigilance. DGHS plans nationwide campaigns through February 2026, focusing on early warning systems. Enhanced funding and public education could halve transmissions, per models. Officials eye vaccine trials, while cross-South Asian forums discuss integrated strategies. The trajectory hinges on collective resolve to avert another record year.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 16th, 2025

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