Measles and Dengue double crisis overwhelms hospitals
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
With the rise of measles and dengue infections in the country, concerns have emerged over the public health situation.
On one hand, the death toll of patients showing measles symptoms is nearly 1,000, while on the other hand, the number of deaths from dengue has exceeded 100. The increasing number of infections and hospital admissions from both diseases is also putting additional pressure on the healthcare system.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), three people have died with measles symptoms within a 24-hour period. Among them, two died in the Dhaka division and one in Khulna.
Since 15 March, the death toll with measles symptoms has reached 897. Another 100 people died after being diagnosed with measles. Measles was newly detected in 60 people. Dhaka division has faced the heaviest pressure from the measles outbreak, where 403 people have died with measles symptoms.
This was followed by 155 deaths in Sylhet, 92 in Rajshahi, 75 in Mymensingh, 65 in Chattogram, 56 in Barisal, 37 in Khulna, and 14 in Rangpur. Not only deaths, but the rush of patients at hospitals is also alarming.
In the last 24 hours, 1,156 people arrived at hospitals with measles symptoms, and 1,102 of them were admitted. With this, the number of admitted patients in various hospitals stands at 1,45,270.
Dengue is also spreading alarm, with the situation taking a horrific turn amid the ongoing measles panic. Four more deaths from dengue have been recorded in a 24-hour period, raising the death toll from dengue this year to 121.
Among these, 24 people died in September. In the 24-hour period, 1,314 patients were admitted to hospitals with dengue. The highest number of patients was admitted in the Dhaka division, with 507 individuals.
However, a significant number of patients were also admitted outside Dhaka in Khulna, Chattogram, Barisal, and Mymensingh. Until 6 September, 43,904 people have been admitted to hospitals with dengue, while a total of 40,709 people have been discharged after recovery. The severity of this year’s situation becomes even clearer when compared to 2025, when 1,02,861 people were admitted to hospitals with dengue infections, and 413 people died. Since the year is not over yet, there are fears that the situation may deteriorate further if the trend of infections and deaths continues.
According to experts, although measles and dengue are two different types of diseases, widespread transmission at the same time creates a dual pressure on the healthcare system.
Just as strengthening vaccination is urgent to prevent measles, it is equally necessary to destroy mosquito breeding grounds, conduct regular surveillance, and quickly expand medical coverage for those infected to control dengue.
If hospital capacity is not increased at the divisional and district levels alongside Dhaka to cope with the pressure of patients, the situation could become even more complex.
