Hospitals in Khulna and across Bangladesh are facing significant strain amid a sharp rise in dengue cases, with many medical facilities reaching or exceeding capacity. As of September 22, Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) was treating 1,920 patients in a 500-bed facility, including 215 dengue patients occupying 70 designated beds. Due to the increasing patient load, some dengue patients are receiving care in corridors, verandas, and other non-traditional spaces within hospitals.
The Khulna division has recorded 11,349 dengue cases this year, with 1,093 patients currently hospitalized. In the 24 hours prior to September 22, 316 new dengue patients were admitted across the division. Khulna district reported the highest number of new cases at 117, with KMCH alone admitting 52 patients. Other districts affected include Bagerhat, Jashore, Satkhira, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Narail, Chuadanga, and Meherpur. The division has recorded 36 dengue-related deaths so far in 2026.
The high patient volume is creating challenges for hospitals, including overcrowding and difficulties ensuring privacy and comfort, particularly as dengue patients require careful monitoring, rest, and hydration. Sujat Ahmed, assistant director of KMCH, noted that treating patients in open and crowded spaces increases discomfort, especially under intense heat. Alongside dengue patients, hospitals are also treating individuals with other illnesses, and some are reporting an increase in suspected measles cases.
Financial strain is also a concern for affected families. Lipika Kundu, whose son Srijan and other family members are dengue-positive, described the cost of medicines and nutritious foods, such as green coconuts, as burdensome. Many families are forced to care for patients at home due to limited hospital bed availability.
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has stepped up mosquito control measures in response to the outbreak. Since early September, 155 additional workers have been deployed to target Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, including drains and stagnant water, across all 31 city wards. The corporation is conducting larvicide and fogging operations, applying diesel oil in manholes, and organizing weekly cleanliness drives. Approximately Tk 33.13 crore has been allocated for these efforts. KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Monju stated that mobile courts are enforcing fines and warnings for households with mosquito breeding sites, with the city divided into red, orange, and yellow zones based on infection rates.
Nationwide, dengue cases and deaths have surged in September. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), more than 65,000 cases have been recorded across Bangladesh in 2026, with 195 deaths reported, including 98 in just the first 21 days of September. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years; September 2025 recorded roughly 15,800 cases and 76 deaths, while September 2024 saw about 18,000 cases and 87 deaths. Hospital admissions have risen accordingly, with nearly 4,744 dengue patients hospitalized nationally as of September 22, up from 2,683 at the beginning of the month.
The outbreak has led to numerous tragic outcomes. Nusrat Jahan, seven months pregnant, fell ill with dengue and was unable to secure an intensive care unit (ICU) bed in Khulna due to overcrowding. She died en route to Dhaka, along with her unborn child. Another pregnant woman, Sadia Afrin Sumaiya, passed away after ICU care was unavailable. These cases highlight the severe impact and challenges faced by the healthcare system amid the current dengue surge.
Authorities have expressed concern that the dengue outbreak could peak in late September or early October. With rising case numbers and deaths, efforts to control the mosquito population and expand healthcare capacity remain critical in managing the crisis.