| As the skies clear and the sun breaks through April’s drizzle, Bangladesh faces an unwelcome guest: the Aedes mosquito, ushering in a pre-season surge of dengue fever.
In the first five days of May 2025, nearly 200 people were infected, following over 700 cases in April. With the nation still scarred by 2024’s devastating toll –1,01,214 infections and 575 deaths – experts are sounding the alarm, urging vigilance and simple preventive steps to tame the mosquito’s menace.
From household cleanups to city-wide campaigns, the fight against dengue is a call to arms for every citizen.
A growing threat
The numbers paint a grim picture. According to the Department of Health, 2025 has already seen over 2,700 infections and 20 deaths in its first four months, with Dhaka South City Corporation bearing the brunt.
While May’s 187 cases have yet to claim lives, the rapid rise signals trouble. In 2024, Dhaka South and North City Corporations led in deaths, and this year, Barisal joins the hotspots. Though infections dipped early last year, the death rate – 29 in four months – remains stubbornly high.
“Dengue is no longer just urban,” warns Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, a leading physician. “It’s spreading nationwide, fuelled by erratic rains.”
The Aedes mosquito, notorious for breeding in stagnant water, thrives in homes – under refrigerators, in flower pots, or near air conditioners. “These are household mosquitoes,” Abdullah emphasises. “Water must not sit for more than two days.”
Lessons from the past
The 2024 epidemic exposed vulnerabilities. Hospitals overflowed, and families mourned as dengue claimed lives across generations. Dhaka’s dense urban sprawl, coupled with inadequate drainage and unchecked water accumulation, created a breeding paradise for Aedes.
This year’s early spike, despite lower initial numbers, suggests the mosquito is adapting, striking even before the monsoon peak. Public health experts like Professor Benazir Ahmed point to climate shifts—intermittent rains and rising temperatures—as catalysts. “Rain triggers breeding,” he says. “We’re seeing it now.”
The memory of last year’s losses drives urgency. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has rolled out free dengue testing at urban health centres and maternity homes, while hospitals are setting up dedicated dengue units.
“We’re preparing for the worst,” says DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz, detailing a multi-pronged strategy: ward cleanups, youth campaigns, and a new army partnership to spray repellents effectively. “We’re hitting the ground running,” he told Jago News.
Expert advice: Act now
Experts agree: prevention is the key. Abdullah urges households to eliminate standing water, from AC drip trays to roadside tires. “Clean your home and surroundings,” he advises. “Sleep under mosquito nets, day or night, and dress kids in long pants.”
He stresses early action for symptoms – fever, body aches, headaches, or rashes. “Don’t ignore fever; get tested fast. At home, hydrate with water, ORS, or juice, but stick to paracetamol – no other drugs.”
Ahmed echoes the call for awareness, particularly in multi-storey buildings where rooftop tanks or construction sites harbour Aedes.
“Don’t store water in open drums or pots for over three days,” he warns. “Aedes bites at dawn and dusk, so stay covered.”
He advocates for prompt testing, available free at DNCC wards or local diagnostics, and hospitalization if weakness sets in. “Water is your ally – drink plenty,” he adds.
For city corporations, Ahmed proposes a monthly cleanup cycle. “Clear containers in May, and June infections drop. Sustain it, and July improves. This can control dengue year-round.”
Azaz confirms DNCC’s proactive stance, with media campaigns, emergency medicine stockpiles, and personal field visits to rally communities.
A collective fight
The battle against dengue transcends government action. “It’s not just the administration’s job,” Abdullah insists. “Every citizen must act.” From sweeping away chip packets to covering water containers, small steps can starve Aedes of breeding grounds. Yet, systemic gaps – clogged drains, underfunded mosquito control, and lax urban planning—persist. The 2024 tragedy, where Dhaka South alone lost dozens, underscores the cost of inaction.
As May unfolds, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Will communities heed the experts’ call, or will dengue’s red-eyed grip tighten? With free tests, hospital readiness, and a reinvigorated DNCC, the tools are in place. But success hinges on collective resolve – each net hung, each bucket emptied, each fever tested. In this whimsical dance of rain and sun, the Aedes mosquito waits. The question is: will Bangladesh strike first?
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