Dhaka is bearing the brunt of the dengue outbreak, with the highest number of infections and deaths recorded in the capital division, while experts warn that the worst of this year’s transmission may still be ahead.
Dengue infections could continue to rise throughout August and may reach their highest level in September, according to entomologist Dr Kabirul Bashar, raising concerns over a potentially prolonged outbreak.
The latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) shows that 18,673 people have been infected with dengue across the country this year, with 59 deaths reported so far.
Dhaka Division accounts for 6,871 of those infections — the highest among all divisions. Dhaka city alone has recorded 4,639 cases.
The division has also recorded the highest number of deaths, with 26 fatalities, 25 of them among residents of Dhaka city.
Peak may come in September
Dr Kabirul Bashar, professor of zoology and an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, said the upward trend in dengue infections could continue through August.
However, he cautioned against assuming that August would mark the peak of this year’s outbreak.
“Depending on the situation, an upward trend in infections could also be seen in September,” he said.
Bashar urged authorities to treat both August and September as critical months for dengue control, rather than assuming that the threat will ease after August.
He said destroying Aedes mosquito breeding grounds should be the top priority.
Water should not be allowed to accumulate in homes, construction sites or surrounding areas, he said. Drums, buckets and other containers holding stagnant water should be cleaned regularly and kept overturned.
He also stressed the need to keep drains functional and maintain regular surveillance of construction sites, where stagnant water can create breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
If the environment that allows mosquitoes to breed can be changed, the spread of Aedes can be significantly reduced, he said.
Dhaka remains the epicentre
Dhaka’s high population density, year-round breeding opportunities for Aedes mosquitoes and weaknesses in mosquito-control activities are among the main factors contributing to its heightened dengue risk, experts say.
Aedes mosquitoes are breeding in stagnant water in densely populated neighbourhoods as well as around homes and buildings under construction.
The scale of the problem means that mosquito-control campaigns limited to the rainy season are unlikely to be enough, experts said.
After Dhaka’s 6,871 cases, Barisal Division has reported 3,740 infections, followed by Chittagong with 3,228 and Khulna with 2,401.
Mymensingh has recorded 821 cases, Rajshahi 713, Rangpur 426 and Sylhet 111.
In terms of deaths, Khulna follows Dhaka with 10 fatalities. Barisal has recorded seven deaths, Mymensingh six, Chittagong five, Rajshahi three, and Rangpur and Sylhet one each.
Year-round breeding drives risk
Public health expert Dr Mushtak Hossain said dengue transmission tends to increase in densely populated areas as mosquito density rises.
He stressed the need to further decentralize healthcare services to ensure that dengue patients can be diagnosed and treated promptly.
“Necessary manpower and diagnostic facilities must be ensured at the grassroots level,” he said.
According to Hossain, extending dengue testing facilities to the union level would make disease detection and treatment more effective.
Experts also called for a shift away from isolated mosquito-control operations in individual areas towards a coordinated nationwide strategy.
They said places where stagnant water allows mosquitoes to breed must be identified and monitored regularly.
Where breeding sites cannot be completely eliminated, long-lasting insecticides or other effective measures to prevent mosquito breeding should be used, they recommended.
Seasonal campaigns not enough
Experts have also called for a stronger role for local government institutions, particularly ward-level elected representatives and relevant authorities, in regular mosquito-control operations.
They warned that temporary campaigns during the dengue season cannot control the disease in the long term.
Instead, breeding sites need to be destroyed throughout the year, surveillance must be maintained regularly and mosquito-control activities must be coordinated centrally.
With Dhaka already accounting for the largest share of infections and deaths, and the possibility of peak transmission still ahead, experts say the coming two months will be critical in determining the trajectory of this year’s dengue outbreak.
