Two more dengue deaths in Bangladesh take 2026 death toll to nine
Dhaka, June 21
Bangladesh has reported two more dengue deaths in the 24 hours until Sunday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in the country to nine in 2026, local media reported.
During this period, 220 more people were admitted to hospitals with viral fever, bringing the cumulative infections to 4,900, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were recorded in Barishal division and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area, it said, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported.
According to the DGHS, 60 per cent of dengue patients in 2026 are men, while 40 per cent are women.
Bangladesh reported 102,861 dengue cases and 413 dengue-related deaths in 2025, according to the DGHS.
On June 2, Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain said that the government will not begin administering the dengue vaccine at this stage, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
Addressing journalists after a discussion meeting on dengue prevention, treatment, and guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat, he said: "This vaccine is being used in only a limited number of countries around the world, including Brazil, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand. However, it has not yet become a universally accepted vaccine globally. As an LDC (Least Developed Country), we cannot suddenly begin administering the vaccine."
"God forbid, if even a single adverse incident occurs, the entire blame will fall on us. People will say that we proceeded without proper examination and evaluation."
Husain stated that the issue had been discussed with the Prime Minister, and the government will hold talks with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF. He said that the Bangladesh government will consult the international community and if they receive approval and they consider the vaccine viable and safe, then the government will try to move forward, Dhaka Tribune reported.
"However, at this moment, we are not going to conduct a vaccination programme. Since it is not a universally accepted vaccine, we want to make our position clear to the public."
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The majority of people who get dengue do not have symptoms. The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. The majority of the patients get better in 1-2 weeks, according to the WHO. However, some patients develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. Dengue can be fatal in severe cases.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's heartbreaking to see this happening in 2026. I understand the government's hesitation about the vaccine, but they should at least be working with WHO to speed up approvals. Every life lost is precious. Also, 60% men affected - interesting gender skew.
Our own cities like Delhi and Bengaluru face similar challenges every year. The Health Minister's point about being an LDC and not wanting adverse outcomes is valid - but prevention is cheaper than cure. They should focus on fogging, cleaning stagnant water, and public awareness campaigns. Vaccines aren't the only solution. 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇩
Respectfully, the government's logic seems a bit contradictory. They say they'll consult WHO and UNICEF, but aren't those organisations capable of evaluating the vaccine now? Why wait for more deaths? Also, 413 deaths last year - this is a recurring crisis. Time for bolder action, not just caution.
Having visited Dhaka last year, I saw how dense the city is - mosquito breeding is a huge challenge. Even with fogging, the drainage issues make it tough. Bangladesh needs a multi-pronged approach: better waste management, community clean-up drives, and maybe even genetically modified mosquitoes like they're testing in some countries. 🙏 Stay safe, Bangladesh!
As someone who lost a relative to dengue in Chennai, this hits close to home. The symptoms can become severe so quickly - one day you have fever, next day you're in ICU. Bangladesh must ensure hospitals have enough platelets and ICU beds ready. Prevention is key: wear full sleeves, use mosquito nets, and
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