HELEMUL ALAM

Bangladesh is likely to face a large-scale dengue outbreak this year unless authorities act swiftly to identify mosquito hotspots, eliminate breeding grounds ahead of the monsoon, and intensify public awareness campaigns, experts have warned.

Early spells of rain in Dhaka and several other districts have heightened concerns over the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the vector of dengue and chikungunya, they say.

If breeding hotspots are not eradicated immediately, the situation could worsen even before the rainy season begins, making it harder for the government to contain infections.

“When it rains, water accumulates in containers scattered across different places, creating ideal breeding grounds for Aedes. We need to strengthen waste management to ensure that water does not collect in these containers,” said entomologist Kabirul Bashar, a professor at Jahangirnagar University.

The current period is vital for preventive action, particularly through better management of solid waste and containers in areas prone to rainwater accumulation, he said.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, Bangladesh recorded more than one lakh dengue cases annually over the past three years, overwhelming hospitals and pushing healthcare workers to their limits.

Last year, the country reported 413 deaths and 102,861 dengue cases. In 2024, the number of fatalities was 575 with 101,214 cases, while 2023 marked the deadliest year on record, with 1,705 deaths and 321,197 cases.

SEE PAGE 10 COL 2