It is safe to say that dengue, which was once a health crisis associated with the monsoon season, has now evolved to be a public health crisis all year long.
To that end, that the pre‑monsoon survey by Dhaka South City Corporation revealed that 63 wards are already at risk of dengue outbreaks is a warning that cannot be taken lightly.
Every year, our country seems unprepared for what dengue does to not just the health of our people, but also the healthcare infrastructure. Despite repeated tragedies, our response remains reactive and fragmented. This is what must change.
Dengue must be recognized for what it has become - a recurring epidemic. Every year, thousands are infected and hundreds die. In addition, hospitals overflow, families are left devastated, and the health system is stretched to breaking point.
The causes for dengue to persist all year long are also clear. Poor waste management, stagnant water, and inadequate vector control create breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, and the drives undertaken by city corporations have not been consistent.
However, Bangladesh cannot afford to let dengue continue to wreak havoc at the scale it does. For that, preparedness must be institutionalized.
The pro-monsoon survey is a good first step towards recognizing the problem at hand, but next steps must include year‑round surveillance and then genuine effort to have coordinated action between city corporations, health authorities, and communities.
There is also the need to invest in hospital readiness, ensuring that diagnostic kits and treatment facilities are available before outbreaks peak. And it also means empowering citizens with clear, consistent information so prevention becomes a collective effort.
Dengue is preventable, but only if we act decisively and continuously. Bangladesh must move beyond seasonal reactive measures and build a permanent system of protection.