Shakirul, a private sector employee, has been experiencing fever and body aches for the past two days.
Although such fevers are often dismissed as “seasonal flu,” he became worried this time due to recent surges in dengue, chikungunya, and Covid-19 infections.
Fearing the risk of transmission, he closely monitored his family members until tests eventually confirmed that his fever was caused by a common viral infection.
However, it is not only Shakirul; nowadays, even a slight fever sparks panic among the general public as changes in the weather lead to a rise in various viral illnesses, with typhoid, seasonal flu, dengue, chikungunya, and Covid-19 sharing overlapping symptoms and causing confusion among people.
In many cases, test results return negative despite the persistence of symptoms.
A visit to hospitals revealed that the number of patients with fever is increasing daily.
As of Wednesday morning, 242 dengue patients were admitted to 18 government hospitals.
Among them, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, and Kurmitola General Hospital have the highest number of patients.
Additionally, 68 more dengue patients were at 59 private hospitals in Dhaka.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), this year, the highest incidence of dengue has been reported in Barisal.
Outside the Barisal City Corporation area, 3,866 patients have been identified, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total cases.
Furthermore, 1,312 patients have been reported in Chittagong, 796 in Dhaka, 259 in Khulna, 261 in Rajshahi, 113 in Mymensingh, 26 in Rangpur, and 21 in Sylhet, all outside their respective city corporation areas.
In the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 682 patients are currently hospitalized, while 1,207 patients are admitted in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
In terms of fatalities, the DSCC is the most vulnerable area, with 16 deaths reported.
Meanwhile, Barisal has recorded eight deaths, Chittagong four, Khulna two, and Dhaka and Mymensingh one each. (All outside the city corporation areas)
Concerns about chikungunya are also growing, as the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) reported that 140 out of 171 samples tested in the first three weeks of June were positive for the virus, indicating a positivity rate of nearly 82%.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reported 153 positive cases out of 337 samples, with a 45% detection rate.
However, the government lacks an accurate picture of the actual number of cases due to the absence of a unified data system.
The recent situation regarding viral fevers in the country was highlighted on Tuesday at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session held at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU).
In a presentation, Associate Professor Dr Abed Hussain Khan of the Department of Internal Medicine at BMU said that the onset of the monsoon has intensified the spread of viral fevers.
Infections from dengue, chikungunya, and a new coronavirus variant are rising at an alarming rate, Abed said.
He said: “The period from June to October is considered the most sensitive for viral fevers. These three viruses are placing immense pressure on the country’s healthcare system. Without improvements in healthcare infrastructure, training, and public awareness, the situation could worsen.”
He also noted that chikungunya has re-emerged in Bangladesh for the first time since 2017.
Although the mortality rate is low, long-term symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, and fatigue can significantly affect a patient’s daily life, he said.
Therefore, it should not be dismissed as a simple fever, Abed added.
Regarding dengue, he said that the highest rates of infection are currently in Barisal and Barguna districts.
In June alone, 1,877 dengue patients have been hospitalized, with five deaths reported in Barisal and two in Dhaka just this week, Abed said.
“Among dengue virus types, DEN-1, DEN-2, and DEN-3 are currently the most active.”
Unplanned urbanization, failure to control mosquitoes, and climate change are the main drivers of rising infections, Abed said.
Regarding Covid-19, he said that although those who received three vaccine doses are relatively safer, a new variant called “flurona” (a combination of flu and coronavirus) is increasing risks, particularly for individuals with diabetes, obesity, cancer, or kidney disease.
Assistant Professor Dr Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury of the Department of Internal Medicine at BMU said that symptoms like body aches and headaches are increasing in Covid-19 patients, making it difficult to detect without testing.
Fazle explained that joint and muscle pain, along with the rapid onset of rashes, are more common in chikungunya, while dengue often involves pain behind the eyes, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Common viral fevers usually involve mild body aches with cold and cough and resolve within four days, he said.
However, if symptoms persist beyond that, medical consultation is necessary, he added.
Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain said: “The Health Services Division must ensure sample collection from community clinics. In addition, areas with higher patient counts must receive prompt medical support. Cleanliness efforts also need to be intensified, or the situation could spiral out of control.”
Another public health expert, Dr Lelin Choudhury, said: “Currently, multiple viruses—such as Covid-19, dengue, and diarrhea—are spreading simultaneously. People are confused about which symptoms belong to which disease. There is no need to panic, but awareness is essential. If symptoms appear, one should immediately get tested and consult a doctor.”
