Published : 23 Sep 2025, 12:36 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:50 PM
This year, the highest number of dengue-related deaths in Bangladesh has been among young adults aged 20 to 30, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
Bangladesh has recorded 179 deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease as of Sunday, with the number of hospitalised patients rising to 41,831.
The health directorate says dengue shock syndrome was the leading cause of death, followed by expanded dengue syndrome. Health officials believe that delayed hospital visits for serious cases are contributing to the increasing death toll.
Dr Md Halimur Rashid, director of DGHS infectious disease control wing, shared the findings at a press conference on Monday.
He said that 124 of the dead had undergone a “death review” to assess the cause of their deaths. The review revealed that most of the victims sought medical help after suffering from fever for three to six days.
Of them, 66 died within 24 hours of hospital admission, 18 within 24-48 hours, 5 within 48-72 hours, and 25 after more than 72 hours.
An analysis based on age groups revealed that the highest number of fatalities was among those aged 20 to 30, with 43 deaths recorded in this range.
The data also showed deaths in other age groups: 16 under 10 years, 10 aged 10-20, 15 aged 30-40, 16 aged 40-50, 15 aged 50-60, 13 aged 60-70, and a few in older age groups.
Dr Halimur said young people often ignore fever symptoms, thinking they will recover on their own due to their relatively good health.
“By the time they arrive at the hospital, it’s often too late, and they go into shock,” he added. He recommended immediate consultation with a doctor if fever symptoms appear.
District-wise fatalities have been reported most frequently in Dhaka, with 17 deaths, followed by Barishal with 12. The highest number of fatalities occurred at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where 33 people died. Other hospitals, such as Kurmitola General Hospital and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, reported 12 deaths each.
Health directorate data also revealed that more men (60) died from dengue than women (53).
