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Health minister urges immediate action ahead of possible October dengue surge
Published : Sunday, 6 September, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Observer staff correspondent
Collected Photo
Bangladesh could see a dangerous rise in dengue infections, potentially reaching a peak in the last week of September or the first week of October, health minister Dr M A Muhith has warned, urging people and authorities to intensify preventive measures immediately.
The minister made the remarks while briefing journalists at the General Osmani Gate of the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday afternoon.
Dr Muhith said epidemiological analysis of data from the past three to four years showed that dengue transmission generally peaks in late September and early October due to rainfall patterns, warm temperatures and the effects of climate change.
He warned that unless preventive measures are strengthened now, the number of dengue cases and deaths could rise sharply next month.
The government will soon launch a coordinated social campaign involving government employees, voluntary organisations and social groups to prevent dengue, he said.
Red Crescent, Scouts, Girl Guides and various social and cultural organisations will be brought into the campaign, which is expected to begin within the next two or three days. The minister particularly urged apartment associations and residents in Dhaka to take greater responsibility, as access for workers to many apartment buildings remains restricted.
Emphasising public awareness over policing or punitive measures, Dr Muhith said dengue could not be eliminated through surveillance alone. Every citizen must take responsibility for maintaining a clean and healthy environment, he added.
On hospital preparedness, the minister said the government was prioritising prevention while also taking measures to ensure hospitals can cope with a possible increase in patients.
He said there is currently no shortage of hospital beds and that a Zoom meeting with all civil surgeons would be held on Monday. Instructions would be given to keep additional beds ready and ensure adequate stocks of saline and dengue test kits.
Around 300 doctors have already received refresher training on standard dengue management in collaboration with the Society of Medicine, Dr Muhith said, adding that the training aims to help reduce the fatality rate.
Measures are also being taken to prevent dengue transmission inside hospitals, including distributing adequate mosquito nets and increasing surveillance in densely populated areas surrounding healthcare facilities.
Referring to dengue deaths in recent years, the health minister said the government considers every death highly sensitive and is therefore strengthening coordinated preventive measures a month before the expected peak transmission period.
On mosquito control, he said the health ministry had been working with the local government ministry and city corporations for the past two months. Mosquito-control activities will be intensified further to address the potential risks in September and October.
The minister urged people not to panic over dengue but to remain alert and take preventive measures. He also sought active cooperation from the media in raising public awareness about the disease.
-JB/HIS
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Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
