Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp rise in viral infections, with dengue, chikungunya, and COVID-19 emerging as a triple public health threat, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season.
In Dhaka’s Banasree area, resident Sajjad Hossain tested positive for dengue after suffering from fever and body aches. “My son and wife were sick first, but their dengue tests came back negative. A few days later, I developed symptoms and tested positive,” he said, now recovering at home under medical supervision.
Doctors across the country report a significant rise in patients with fever, joint pain, cough, and cold—symptoms common to all three viruses. Hospitals are struggling to differentiate and treat the cases amid rising admissions.
Dr Ishita Biswas, Associate Professor of the Department of Medicine at Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital, told Bangladesh Pratidin, “The number of patients suffering from dengue fever, chikungunya, and COVID-19 is increasing. Every day, patients come with symptoms such as fever, body aches, joint pain, cough, and runny nose. The symptoms of these three diseases are very similar. Although the physical condition of patients suffering from COVID-19 and chikungunya is not very complicated, we are getting complicated patients suffering from dengue.”
“Some things should be taken care of to prevent these diseases. The surroundings of the house should be kept clean, water should not be allowed to accumulate. Mosquito nets and sprays should be used to avoid mosquito bites. If fever or other symptoms appear, one should seek medical advice.”
“These diseases can be easily identified by testing. If you get treatment quickly without delay, it is possible to avoid complications and risks,’ she added.
Meanwhile, chikungunya has returned for the first time since the 2017 outbreak. Between October 2024 and April 2025, 161 cases were confirmed among 520 suspected patients. While the disease rarely causes death, it often leads to long-term joint pain and fatigue.
COVID-19, too, is making a slow but steady comeback. DGHS data shows 528 confirmed cases and 20 deaths this year, with 15–20 new cases reported daily. One person died from the virus on Friday alone.
Although previously confined to the capital, patients have started increasing gradually outside Dhaka in the last few years. Meanwhile, the dengue situation in Barguna has created panic. This year, dengue patients have crossed 9,000, and about 40 people have lost their lives. More than 4,000 people have been infected in Barisal division alone.
Dr Abed Hossain Khan, Associate Professor of the Department of Medicine at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), said that this year, the most active serotypes of DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-3 have been found among dengue patients. This dengue infection is increasing due to unplanned urbanization, mismanagement in mosquito control and the impact of climate change. Although previously concentrated in Dhaka, dengue has now spread throughout the country.
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
