Bangladesh is facing the dual challenge of a growing dengue outbreak and an ongoing measles crisis, with health experts warning that the country could come under greater pressure in the coming months unless immediate preventive measures are taken.
While measles continues to infect and kill children, dengue infections have begun climbing with the onset of the monsoon, raising concerns about the health sector's ability to manage both diseases simultaneously.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 7,110 dengue cases and 19 deaths have been recorded nationwide as of July 6. In the last 24 hours alone, 239 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country.
At the same time, 89,734 people have developed measles-like symptoms since March 15. Among them, 12,791 cases have been laboratory confirmed. During the same period, 744 children died with measles-like symptoms, while laboratory tests confirmed 93 deaths were caused by measles.
Public health experts say dengue infections are now increasing rapidly alongside measles and warn that the situation could become significantly more complicated over the next few months without coordinated intervention.
Dengue no longer confined to Dhaka
Once largely concentrated in the capital, dengue has now spread to nearly every district in Bangladesh.
The country experienced its first major dengue outbreak in 2000, with Dhaka serving as the epicenter. Until 2010, around 91% of all dengue patients lived in the capital. Researchers say transmission remained largely confined to densely populated parts of Dhaka division until 2018.
Since 2019, however, rapid urbanization, increased population movement, and climate change have helped spread Aedes mosquitoes and the dengue virus across the country.
In 2025, Bangladesh recorded nearly 103,000 dengue infections and 413 deaths.
Entomologist Professor Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University's Department of Zoology said current trends suggest infections will continue rising over the next few months.
He said July's caseload could be at least double June's, while infections may triple by August. Based on his forecasting model—which incorporates rainfall, temperature, humidity, Aedes mosquito density, and patient numbers—he expects the heaviest transmission in August and September.
According to Bashar, several districts outside Dhaka are again likely to experience a relatively higher disease burden, although infections are also rising rapidly in the capital.
Are authorities prepared?
Experts say controlling dengue requires much more than treating patients. They stress that eliminating mosquito breeding sites through coordinated public participation is essential, while hospitals across the country must also be prepared for a possible surge in patients.
Professor Dr Halimur Rashid, director (Disease Control) at the DGHS, said the situation remains less alarming than last year's.
"The number of infections is still comparatively low," he said.
He noted that mosquito control primarily falls under city corporations, while the DGHS is responsible for ensuring patient care. Necessary clinical management guidelines have already been distributed to hospitals nationwide, he added.
Former Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Chief Scientific Officer Dr Mushtaq Hossain said only a government-led, coordinated approach can effectively control dengue.
He said public participation must be ensured through community cleanup campaigns, while entomologists' recommendations, effective insecticides, and environmental management should be implemented together.
According to him, fogging or symbolic activities alone cannot control dengue.
He said local representatives, volunteers, and residents must be directly involved in identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
"Dengue is no longer just Dhaka's problem," he said, adding that prevention efforts must be implemented nationwide with equal importance.
Dr Mushtaq also emphasized strengthening diagnosis and treatment capacity at the grassroots level so patients can receive timely care.
He said rapid response teams should immediately be deployed wherever dengue patients are identified to ensure treatment, prevent further transmission, destroy nearby mosquito breeding sites, and hospitalize patients when necessary.
To strengthen dengue prevention and response efforts, the Ministry of Local Government has decided to form a special task force to oversee field operations, improve inter-agency coordination, provide necessary guidance, and implement emergency measures.
Professor Bashar said this year's dengue situation will largely depend on how effectively mosquito control programs are implemented.
"If authorities act in time, a major outbreak like last year's can be avoided," he said. "But if mosquito control efforts fail, infections could surpass last year's record."
Experts' recommendations
Experts recommend ward-based larval surveillance, creating a digital database, and launching coordinated programs involving local governments, apartment owners' associations, educational institutions, and the public.
Without those measures, they warn, the country may struggle to manage a larger dengue burden in the coming months.
Renowned physician Professor Dr ABM Abdullah said eliminating Aedes mosquito breeding sites remains the most effective way to control dengue.
He urged people to regularly remove stagnant clean water around their homes and keep discarded tires, coconut shells, flower pots, plastic containers, and other water-holding objects clean.
He also advised using mosquito nets even during daytime naps, dressing children in long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants, and using mosquito repellents when necessary.
Dengue trend over the past three years
Data from the past three years show dengue infections consistently begin rising after June and typically peak between August and October.
In 2023, Bangladesh recorded 5,956 cases in June, 43,854 in July, 71,976 in August, and 79,598 in September.
In 2024, infections remained relatively low during the first half of the year before climbing from July. The highest monthly caseload was 30,879 in October, followed by 29,652 in November.
In 2025, 5,949 people were infected in June, after which cases increased steadily through July, August, September, October, and November.