Dengue epidemic worsens in Bangladesh: 418 people have died
Experts forecast that the epidemic will continue in November as well, and the situation will not improve even until December.
Bangladesh is experiencing a worsening dengue fever epidemic. Since the beginning of the year, 418 people have died from the disease, and more than 133,000 patients have been hospitalized. Experts report that virus transmission may continue through November, with a significant decline unlikely to be observed until December.
According to the country's Ministry of Health, 173 people died from dengue fever in October. This is more than the 148 deaths recorded in September, making it the month with the highest death toll so far in 2026.
At the same time, the country is also battling the world's largest measles epidemic. This disease has claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people. The simultaneous spread of two epidemics is placing an additional burden on Bangladesh's healthcare system.
Doctors say that many patients seek hospital care only after the disease has begun to cause severe complications. At Shahid Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka, 279 patients with dengue fever are being treated. Another 67 people were admitted to the facility in a single day.
Experts emphasize that reinfection, as well as delays in diagnosis and treatment, are increasing the risk of severe cases. Because all four serotypes of the dengue virus are circulating in the country, a person previously infected can be reinfected with a different serotype and face severe complications.
According to the forecast of Jahangirnagar University entomologist Kabirul Bashar, the incidence may decrease somewhat in November, but virus transmission will continue. In his view, there is a high probability that significant improvement will not be observed until December.
The expert explained this by the fact that previous rainfall has created favorable breeding sites for mosquitoes. In addition, changes in rainfall and humidity patterns due to climate change are extending the mosquito breeding season.
According to Reuters, Bangladesh has not yet introduced a dengue vaccine, but officials are considering the possibility of using it as a long-term measure.
