407 dead in climate change-boosted dengue outbreak in Bangladesh, healthcare system overwhelmed

Bangladesh is grappling with its worst dengue outbreak in years.

At least 407 people have died from dengue-related complications this year, and 78,595 patients have been hospitalised nationwide, according to official data.

An overwhelmed healthcare system

The crisis follows last year’s record-breaking toll, with 1,705 deaths and over 321,000 infections.

Hospitals across the country, particularly in Dhaka, are overwhelmed, forcing many patients from rural areas to travel long distances for specialised care.

Doctors report that delayed treatment often worsens outcomes, as early symptoms of dengue can be mild and go unnoticed until the disease becomes critical.

Dr. ABM Abdullah, a leading physician, said that deaths can be reduced to less than 1 per cent with prompt treatment.

Climate change boosting dengue cases

Experts warn the crisis is a sign of the broader impacts of shifting weather patterns across South Asia.

“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. He attributed the outbreak to optimal breeding conditions for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species primarily responsible for spreading the virus.

“These changes in the season are fostering ideal conditions for the mosquitoes to breed,” Bashar added.

In Bangladesh, dengue outbreaks are typically confined to the June-to-September monsoon season.

This year, however, the disease has persisted beyond its usual window, fueled by prolonged rains and higher temperatures linked to climate change. Dense urban populations further exacerbate the spread.

Health officials have urged the use of mosquito repellents, bed nets, and other protective measures, while experts like Bashar call for year-round vector surveillance to curb the disease.

A global endemic

Dengue has seen an alarming rise in cases globally, particularly in Asia and Africa, where warmer climates and dense populations enable its spread.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 400 million infections occur annually, with severe cases leading to hemorrhagic fever or death. Fatality rates can reach up to 20 per cent if untreated.