Bangladesh's battle with Dengue: What to Learn from global playbooks

It isn't the monsoon rain that haunts Bangladesh the most; it's the striped mosquito that can turn a neighbourhood into a battleground and hospitals into warzones. And thus, every monsoon, Bangladesh faces its known enemy, the Dengue Fever. Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus cause it. Dengue fever was once known as seasonal, but now it is considered a year-round threat to Bangladesh. The situation is worsened by rapid urbanisation, inadequate waste management, waterlogging and limited public awareness.

Bangladesh has witnessed several record-breaking dengue cases in recent years, and it has been alarming. As a result, thousands of people died and countless were hospitalised over the past few years.

In 2023, Bangladesh recorded 3,21,179 cases and 1705 deaths (fatality rate 0.53%), which was the highest in the history of Bangladesh. Numbers illustrate not only the seasonal recurrence of dengue but also how alarmingly the problem is escalating in Bangladesh.

The first step to fight this menace is to control the mosquito population. The stagnant water from the containers, tyres and construction sites should be eliminated, and the authority must ensure proper drainage and waste management.

Early detection, surveillance and public awareness are all equally important. The country is struggling to control the Aedes mosquito population.

As a result, the fatalities are increasing each year. Clearly, the traditional methods are not enough. To break the deadly cycle occurring every year, Bangladesh must look at global best practices and adapt the steps locally. The battle is tough, but it is not impossible.

Global lessons in Dengue management

Singapore's surveillance and data-driven Action

Singapore has built one of the most effective dengue monitoring systems in the world. The country is using real-time surveillance and the authority maps mosquito breeding hotspots and deploys rapid-response teams.

This type of data-driven approach makes sure that the interventions are not random but targeted. As for Bangladesh, despite limited resources, even a scaled-down digital surveillance can help focus efforts.

Innovative vector control in Brazil

Brazil introduced natural mosquito predators like Wolbachia bacteria, which can prevent dengue transmission. Although this may seem ambitious for a country like Bangladesh, smaller pilot programs can pave the way for innovative biological control, reducing reliance on chemical sprays that often lose effectiveness.

Healthcare preparedness in the Philippines

The Philippines is known as another dengue-prone country, and the government of the Philippines has focused on hospital readiness.

Clear triage guidelines can help doctors manage severe cases quickly, and that can prevent death. In Bangladesh, where hospitals are flooded with patients, standardised treatment protocols and better training at grassroots levels can save lives.

Community engagement in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has succeeded in controlling the dengue situation by emphasising community participation. There, citizens are encouraged to clean their premises weekly and local authorities run school and neighbourhood campaigns regarding the matter. Bangladesh has also attempted similar efforts, but here the community participation remains much weaker.

Bangladesh doesn't need to reinvent the wheel; it just needs to adapt proven solutions. Digital tools should be applied to strengthen surveillance; at the same time, community engagement is mandatory through strict regulations.

Better waste management, more stringent building codes to prevent water stagnation, and sustainable city design can all cut mosquito breeding grounds.

Dengue is no longer just a health issue; it is a test of public policy, community discipline and national resilience.

By learning from Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Brazil, and tailoring the lessons to local realities, Bangladesh can turn the tide. The challenge is urgent, but the solutions are within reach.

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