Dengue cases could double this month if mosquito control is not intensified, public health experts warned on Thursday, following a sharp rise in infections and deaths in June that they say signals the start of a potentially severe outbreak.
They cautioned that without immediate, targeted mosquito control and stronger treatment capacity outside Dhaka, Bangladesh could face a significant escalation in both infections and fatalities in the coming weeks.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), June recorded 2,907 dengue cases -- the highest monthly total so far this year and nearly four times the 714 cases reported in May.
Earlier, 640 cases were recorded in April, 353 in March, 409 in February and 1,081 in January.
The death toll has also climbed. Two dengue-related deaths were reported in January, two in February, one in May and 13 in June. Another death was recorded on the first day of July, bringing this year's total to 19.
DGHS data released on Thursday showed that 147 new patients were admitted to hospitals in the previous 24 hours, raising the cumulative number of hospitalisations this year to 6,414. Of them, 5,941 have recovered.
Dr Kabirul Bashar, professor at Jahangirnagar University's Department of Zoology, warned that infections are likely to rise steadily throughout July before peaking in August.
"If mosquito control is not strengthened, dengue infections in Dhaka could double in July compared with June and increase three to four times in August," he said.
He added that the outbreak is no longer limited to the capital, with district and upazila areas also facing growing risks.
Bashar said routine fogging alone would not contain the outbreak. Instead, authorities should identify Aedes mosquito breeding sites, destroy larvae regularly and implement data-driven mosquito control programs.
He also called for coordinated action involving local governments and residents to eliminate breeding grounds around homes and neighbourhoods.
Dr Mushtaq Hossain, adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said Bangladesh has entered a new phase of dengue transmission.
"Dengue is no longer confined to a seasonal outbreak. Transmission is now occurring almost year-round," he said.
He warned that inadequate preparedness at district and upazila hospitals could lead to avoidable deaths if patient numbers continue to rise.
Speaking at a program at Dhaka Medical College, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain also warned that the outbreak could worsen during July and August.
He said the Ministry of Health and the DGHS had distributed NS1 diagnostic kits to health facilities across the country and instructed hospitals in Dhaka and other major cities to remain prepared for a surge in patients.
The minister, however, stressed that government action alone would not be sufficient.
He urged local representatives, religious leaders and residents to work together to keep their surroundings clean and eliminate mosquito breeding sites, saying community participation remains essential to preventing a larger outbreak.