Bangladesh’s dengue crisis continues to deepen as at least 10 more patients succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, and 966 new patients were hospitalized. The latest fatalities include four deaths in Dhaka city, three in Barishal division, and one each in Mymensingh, Khulna, and other parts of Dhaka division. With these new figures, the national death toll for dengue in 2023 has reached 1,705—the highest annual toll to date—surpassing the previously highest death count of 281 recorded in 2022 and 179 in 2019. This year alone, there have been 310 deaths, with the total number of cases surging to 63,165.
According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 4,126 dengue patients are currently receiving treatment at government and private hospitals across the country. Meanwhile, a total of 58,729 patients have been discharged following recovery. The dengue surge reached its peak in October, with a staggering 30,879 cases, compared to 18,097 cases in September and 6,521 in August. The start of November has seen an alarming trend as well, with 1,348 new cases reported in just the first two days.
Experts warn that while the monsoon season typically drives dengue spikes, warmer and wetter conditions this year, along with increased urbanization and high mosquito breeding rates, have intensified the spread. Health authorities continue efforts to combat the outbreak with increased fumigation, public awareness campaigns, and emergency care resources, though the high influx of cases is straining medical facilities across the country.
