Dr. Ashish Kumar Chakraborty 

Dengue is no longer just a seasonal illness in Bangladesh; it has now become a symbol of a national public health emergency. Once considered primarily a problem of the capital Dhaka, dengue has spread rapidly over the past few years to even the remotest districts, upazilas, and rural areas of the country. Climate change, uncontrolled urbanization, unplanned waste management, accumulation of stagnant water, and lack of public awareness — all these factors combined have turned dengue into a silent but deadly threat for Bangladesh.

The year ‘2023’ is recorded as the worst in Bangladesh’s dengue history. According to government data, more than 321,000 people were infected with dengue that year, and 1,705 people lost their lives — the highest number in the country’s history. In 2024, over 100,000 people were infected and more than 500 died. Even in 2025, the situation has not come under full control. There is growing concern that dengue is gradually turning into a year-round disease.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection primarily transmitted by the bites of ‘Aedes aegypti’ and ‘Aedes albopictus’ mosquitoes. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, intense muscle and joint pain, vomiting, and red rashes on the skin. If not treated promptly, it can develop into life-threatening conditions such as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS).

The most effective way to combat dengue is not treatment, but ‘preventio’. There is still no specific medicine for dengue. Therefore, destroying mosquito breeding sites, keeping homes and surroundings clean, and preventing water from stagnating in flower tubs, air conditioner trays, discarded tires, coconut shells, or any containers is extremely important. Using mosquito nets, applying repellents, wearing full-sleeve clothing, and strengthening community cleanliness drives are also essential.

If someone contracts dengue, adequate rest, plenty of fluid intake, and immediate consultation with a doctor are necessary. In many cases, patients become overly panicked about their platelet count, whereas from a medical perspective, the patient’s overall physical condition, blood pressure, blood concentration, and warning signs are far more important. It is wise to follow a doctor’s advice rather than relying on rumors or misinformation.

Many people still do not take fever seriously, thinking it is just a common cold or flu, and delay seeking treatment. By the time they reach the hospital in critical condition, it is often too late. Furthermore, many patients get admitted to small local clinics that lack proper diagnostic facilities and treatment, causing their condition to deteriorate further before they are transferred to better hospitals. Therefore, from the very onset of illness, patients need a hospital equipped with all necessary facilities to save lives.

Dengue no longer presents with its classic symptoms. Patients are increasingly coming to hospitals with neurological weakness, black stool, and breathing difficulties. Sometimes, even if a patient has fever, the dengue test comes back negative. As a result, patients ignore the symptoms thinking it is not dengue — and that is when complications arise. Hence, it is crucial to always follow a doctor’s advice.

The fight against dengue is not the government’s responsibility alone; it is the collective duty of citizens, families, local administrations, health workers, educational institutions, and the media. Just as one mosquito can plunge an entire family into grief, one aware family can keep an entire neighborhood safe. We believe that through the combined efforts of knowledge, awareness, and social responsibility, a dengue-free Bangladesh is possible.

Managing Director 

Universal Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 

Universal Medical Services Limited, Brahmanbaria