Dengue cases near 1 lakh, death toll crosses 300

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 12, 2026

Dengue cases in the country have approached 100,000 with over 300 deaths, while recoveries have reached nearly 93,000 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. Experts warn that high transmission will continue through November, especially outside Dhaka where weaker mosquito control requires urgent action to eliminate breeding sites and curb the outbreak.

Dengue cases in the country have neared 100,000, with the death toll surpassing 300, according to recent data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). In the latest 24-hour period, 1,796 dengue patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries this year to 92,803.

September saw a sharp rise in fatalities related to dengue, recording 148 deaths—the highest monthly toll to date. The number of deaths increased progressively throughout the year, beginning with five deaths from January to May, followed by 13 in June, 36 in July, and 43 in August.

Medical entomologist and zoology professor Khabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University noted that dengue transmission is expected to remain high through October and into November. He indicated that the capital city, Dhaka, may experience comparatively lower transmission rates because the virus has circulated there longer, potentially leading to more residents having developed immunity from prior infections. Additionally, Dhaka benefits from stronger institutional frameworks and more extensive mosquito control initiatives than other districts.

Outside Dhaka, many areas face higher transmission due to weaker institutional mechanisms for mosquito control, Bashar explained. He emphasized that controlling mosquito breeding sites is the most critical factor in managing the spread of dengue. Authorities are urged to prevent the formation of breeding sites and actively seek out and eliminate existing ones through a “search and destroy” strategy.

Common breeding grounds include discarded ice cream cups, disposable glasses, biscuit wrappers, buckets, and any containers that hold stagnant water in and around homes. When removing these containers is not feasible, larvicides or insect growth regulators can be used to inhibit mosquito larvae development. Bashar further highlighted that targeting mosquitoes at the larval stage is more effective and less resource-intensive than controlling adult mosquitoes through fogging.

In parallel, the country continues to battle a large suspected measles outbreak. Since March 15, 182,047 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalized. Of these, 174,469 have recovered, while the total suspected deaths have risen to 1,162, including 1,058 suspected and 104 laboratory-confirmed cases. Within the recent reporting period alone, 1,180 new suspected cases and 93 confirmed infections were recorded, bringing cumulative totals to 205,028 suspected and 22,421 confirmed measles cases.

The ongoing challenges posed by dengue and measles underscore the need for sustained public health interventions, particularly in mosquito control and vaccination efforts, to mitigate the spread and impact of these diseases.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.