Dengue is no longer posing the greatest threat only to children and older adults. This year, the highest number of dengue-related deaths has been recorded among the country's working-age population.
Data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) shows that of the 59 dengue deaths reported so far this year, 33 were people aged between 26 and 50, accounting for nearly 56% of the total fatalities.
Among the 33 deaths in the 26-50 age group, 21 were women and 12 were men.
Another 15 deaths (about 25%) were reported among people aged up to 25, while 11 deaths (about 19%) occurred among those aged between 51 and 75.
The monthly trend also points to a worsening situation.
While 36 people died from dengue in the 31 days of July, five more died in the first three days of August, pushing the average daily death rate up by about 43.5% compared to July.
According to the DGHS Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room, 580 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours until Friday morning.
Of them, 125 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka division outside the city corporations, 81 in Barisal, 79 in Chittagong, 78 in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area, 67 in Khulna, 36 in Mymensingh, 31 in Rangpur, 22 in Rajshahi and two in Sylhet.
Three more deaths were recorded during the same period—one each in the DSCC area, Khulna division and Sylhet division.
Since January 1, a total of 59 people have died from dengue.
The highest number of deaths—18—was recorded in the DSCC area, followed by Khulna with 10. Barisal and the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) area each reported seven deaths, Mymensingh six, Chittagong five, Rajshahi three, and Dhaka division outside the city corporations, Rangpur and Sylhet one each.
So far this year, 16,684 dengue patients have been hospitalized nationwide.
Barisal division recorded the highest number of hospitalizations at 3,516, followed by Chittagong (2,870), DSCC (2,308), Dhaka division outside the city corporations (2,268), Khulna (2,130), DNCC (1,760), Mymensingh (715), Rajshahi (634), Rangpur (377) and Sylhet (105).
Despite the recent surge, both infections and deaths remain lower than during the same period last year.
DGHS data shows that by August 3, 2025, Bangladesh had recorded 21,670 dengue cases and 84 deaths. During the corresponding period this year, infections stood at 16,684 and deaths at 59.
Experts explain higher mortality
Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain said several factors could explain why dengue deaths are comparatively higher among people aged 25 to 50.
He said many people in this age group suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer, which can increase the risk of severe dengue. Pregnancy among women in this age group may also complicate dengue infection, he added.
Mushtaq also said working-age adults spend more time outside their homes for work, increasing their exposure to Aedes mosquitoes and, consequently, their risk of infection and severe complications.
Jahangirnagar University entomologist Prof Kabirul Bashar said people aged 25 to 50 are generally more mobile and spend more time outdoors, making them more vulnerable to mosquito bites.
He also noted that this age group makes up a large share of the country's population, meaning infections—and consequently deaths—are naturally more concentrated among them.
By contrast, young children usually spend much less time outdoors. Maintaining clean homes and surrounding areas can significantly reduce their risk of dengue infection, he said.
Kabirul stressed that eliminating Aedes mosquito breeding sites remains the most effective way to prevent dengue and urged authorities to identify high-risk areas as hotspots and implement targeted control measures.