Deadly Dengue Fever Outbreak claims 215 Lives in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh – A severe outbreak of dengue fever has overwhelmed Bangladesh’s healthcare system, resulting in 215 confirmed deaths and over 321,000 infections as of June 3, 2025. The escalating crisis is placing immense strain on hospitals and raising fears of a repeat of last year’s devastating epidemic, health officials warn.
The surge in cases, primarily concentrated in Dhaka and other urban centers, is attributed to a combination of factors including unusually heavy monsoon rains, stagnant water creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and a lack of effective preventative measures. Experts emphasize that without swift and comprehensive action, bangladesh faces the potential for a continued cycle of large-scale dengue outbreaks. Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, causes flu-like symptoms and can develop into severe dengue, characterized by hemorrhage, shock, and organ failure.
Bangladesh experienced a especially virulent dengue season in 2023, with over 1,700 deaths reported – the highest on record. The current outbreak began gaining momentum in April and has rapidly accelerated in recent weeks, exceeding infection rates from the same period last year.Authorities are scrambling to increase hospital bed capacity, distribute mosquito nets, and launch public awareness campaigns to combat the spread of the disease.The government has also initiated fogging operations in affected areas, though their effectiveness is limited without addressing the underlying issue of stagnant water.