Dhaka, Oct 19 — Bangladesh reported one more dengue-related death in the 24 hours till Sunday morning, bringing the total number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease this year to 245, local media reported.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest death occurred in the Barishal Division. During the same period, 950 new dengue cases were recorded, pushing the total number of infections in 2025 to 59,849. Currently, 977 patients are receiving treatment in Dhaka hospitals, while 2,793 others are admitted across the country. Of the newly infected, 61.3 per cent are men and 38.7 per cent are women.
In 2024, Bangladesh witnessed 575 dengue deaths and 101,214 reported cases, with 100,040 recoveries, DGHS data shows. DGHS Director General Abu Jafor recently noted that while the number of dengue cases in 2025 has exceeded last year’s count, the death rate has declined.
Speaking at a press briefing on the ‘Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025,’ Jafor emphasised that early diagnosis and prompt medical attention are crucial in reducing fatalities. “Over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the first day of admission, indicating that patients are arriving too late for effective treatment,” he said.
He stressed that public awareness and community participation are vital to combat dengue, urging people to use mosquito nets, eliminate stagnant water, and destroy breeding grounds. “Without these individual precautions, eradicating dengue will be very difficult,” he warned.
Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions, particularly in urban areas. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that there is no specific treatment for dengue, but early detection and proper care significantly reduce mortality rates.