Dengue fever cases at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) have experienced a sharp upward trajectory since mid-year, with total admissions reaching 3,085 and fatalities rising to 42 as of 3 October.
Official figures from the premier public healthcare facility reveal that while infection rates remained relatively subdued throughout the first six months of the year, patient volume escalated significantly with the arrival of the monsoon season. A total of 2,181 patients have been successfully treated and discharged from the hospital so far, whereas 579 individuals opted to leave the premises on their own authority prior to completing their formal medical clearance. Currently, 298 patients remain hospitalized in dedicated dengue units, a demographic split comprising 141 men, 89 women, and 68 children.
Hospital statistics highlight a stark contrast between the two halves of the year. Admissions began modestly, recording 45 patients in January, 26 in February, 30 in March, 41 in April, 75 in May, and 122 in June, accompanied by a combined total of seven deaths across those six months. However, infections surged dramatically from July onwards. September marked the peak of the outbreak thus far, registering a single-month record of 1,403 admissions and 13 fatalities. The momentum has persisted into October, with 127 new admissions, two deaths, 66 discharges, and 31 self-departures recorded within the first three days alone. The period from July to early October accounts for 35 of the 42 deaths reported this year.
Despite the recent surge, current mortality figures show a marked reduction compared to previous years. DMCH reported 95 dengue deaths in 2024 and 118 in 2025, amounting to 213 fatalities over the two-year period. Historical trends indicate that October traditionally presents the highest seasonal risk; the hospital logged its highest monthly mortality numbers in October during both 2024 and 2025, recording 24 and 25 deaths respectively.
To manage the expanding patient numbers, DMCH authorities designated Wards 402, 502, and 702 in the Medicine Department’s new building specifically for dengue care. A site visit to these specialized wards reveals high patient density alongside a substantial presence of accompanying relatives. Although hospital management distributes mosquito nets to all admitted patients, compliance remains low due to structural limitations in securing the netting over ward beds.
Eighteen-year-old Farhan, who was transferred to DMCH from Gazipur following a precipitous drop in his blood platelet levels, mentioned that while his condition has stabilized, hanging the provided mosquito net over his bed proved impractical. Ward Master Riyaz Uddin warned that failing to maintain net enclosures creates serious vector-transmission risks for health workers, visiting relatives, and fellow attendants within the immediate vicinity.
When approached for administrative insights into hospital preparedness and ongoing management protocols, DMCH Director Brigadier General A.K.M. Farhad Hossain directed queries to Deputy Director Dr Ashraful Alam. Repeated phone calls to Dr Alam remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
