Tuesday, 14 October, 2025
Fever Wave Intensifies in Bangladesh, Children Most Affected
Bangladesh is currently grappling with a severe fever outbreak, with children bearing the brunt of the surge, according to hospitals and public health authorities. Data from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) indicate that influenza remains the most commonly detected illness this year, while dengue and chikungunya cases are rising sharply.
At Shishu Hospital, the country’s largest pediatric facility, 6,255 children were treated for cold and cough in July, up from 4,024 in June. Outpatient visits for the month reached 9,367, with nearly 67 percent presenting with fever and respiratory symptoms. In the first 20 days of August, 2,229 children were treated, 86 percent of whom had cold or fever. Doctors note that many cases exhibit unusual symptoms, including high fever, spinal and stomach pain, vomiting, and severe fatigue—sometimes resembling dengue or chikungunya—but test negative for those viruses.
Parents are reporting alarming conditions. Mossaraf Hossain brought his five-year-old from Badda after a week-long fever that fluctuated between 102 and 103 degrees. “Home remedies and medications didn’t work. The child stopped eating,” he said. Masudur Rahman, visiting from Ashulia, echoed similar concerns.
Medical officers at Shishu Hospital caution that the current fever cases may involve a new viral strain, possibly a dengue variant, though confirmation requires laboratory testing. “Over the past six weeks, both outpatient and inpatient numbers have doubled,” said resident officer Mahmudul Hoque Chowdhury.
Square Hospital in Dhaka reported a high rate of chikungunya among tested samples: 387 of 743 in June, 577 of 1,289 in July, and 176 of 316 by August 10, resulting in an overall positivity rate of 49 percent for the year. Consultant Deepankar Kumar Basak described the outbreak as “very high,” noting that most patients experience body aches, high fever, rashes, and severe joint pain, with children particularly affected.
Doctors emphasize early symptom-based treatment, as testing for chikungunya or dengue can be inconclusive in the first days of infection. Ahmedul Kabir of AMZ Hospital highlighted the importance of RT-PCR testing after seven days for accurate detection and advised families to seek medical attention if fever persists or is accompanied by joint pain or rashes.
Public health experts, including Mushtuq Husain, suggest that the surge may be driven by a combination of influenza, dengue, chikungunya, and other respiratory infections. According to IEDCR Director Tahmina Shirin, tests so far indicate that approximately 45 percent of cases involve chikungunya, with no evidence yet of a new virus or dengue serotype.
Influenza data from the National Influenza Centre, jointly run by IEDCR and icddr,b, show that July 2025 recorded the highest detection rate in 18 years, with 1,453 of 2,455 tested patients (59.2 percent) confirmed positive. The flu season in Bangladesh typically runs from April to September.
Meanwhile, dengue cases have surged dramatically. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reports 27,115 hospitalizations by August 19, 2025, nearly three times last year’s 9,816 cases. Deaths have risen to 105 compared with 74 in 2024. The DGHS notes that total infections may be higher, as only hospitalizations are officially recorded.
Health authorities urge preventive measures during this peak season:
Frequent handwashing or use of sanitizer
Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Dispose of tissues safely and wash hands afterward
Avoid close contact with sick individuals
Minimize exposure in crowded areas
Wear masks if needed
Children under 5, seniors above 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions should receive the annual influenza vaccine
As Bangladesh faces this unrelenting fever wave, hospitals continue to witness high patient inflows, particularly among children. Authorities emphasize vigilance, early detection, and symptom-based care to mitigate the outbreak and prevent further strain on the healthcare system.
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Fever Wave Intensifies in Bangladesh, Children Most Affected
Bangladesh is currently grappling with a severe fever outbreak, with children bearing the brunt of the surge, according to hospitals and public health authorities. Data from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) indicate that influenza remains the most commonly detected illness this year, while dengue and chikungunya cases are rising sharply.
At Shishu Hospital, the country’s largest pediatric facility, 6,255 children were treated for cold and cough in July, up from 4,024 in June. Outpatient visits for the month reached 9,367, with nearly 67 percent presenting with fever and respiratory symptoms. In the first 20 days of August, 2,229 children were treated, 86 percent of whom had cold or fever. Doctors note that many cases exhibit unusual symptoms, including high fever, spinal and stomach pain, vomiting, and severe fatigue—sometimes resembling dengue or chikungunya—but test negative for those viruses.
Parents are reporting alarming conditions. Mossaraf Hossain brought his five-year-old from Badda after a week-long fever that fluctuated between 102 and 103 degrees. “Home remedies and medications didn’t work. The child stopped eating,” he said. Masudur Rahman, visiting from Ashulia, echoed similar concerns.
Medical officers at Shishu Hospital caution that the current fever cases may involve a new viral strain, possibly a dengue variant, though confirmation requires laboratory testing. “Over the past six weeks, both outpatient and inpatient numbers have doubled,” said resident officer Mahmudul Hoque Chowdhury.
Square Hospital in Dhaka reported a high rate of chikungunya among tested samples: 387 of 743 in June, 577 of 1,289 in July, and 176 of 316 by August 10, resulting in an overall positivity rate of 49 percent for the year. Consultant Deepankar Kumar Basak described the outbreak as “very high,” noting that most patients experience body aches, high fever, rashes, and severe joint pain, with children particularly affected.
Doctors emphasize early symptom-based treatment, as testing for chikungunya or dengue can be inconclusive in the first days of infection. Ahmedul Kabir of AMZ Hospital highlighted the importance of RT-PCR testing after seven days for accurate detection and advised families to seek medical attention if fever persists or is accompanied by joint pain or rashes.
Public health experts, including Mushtuq Husain, suggest that the surge may be driven by a combination of influenza, dengue, chikungunya, and other respiratory infections. According to IEDCR Director Tahmina Shirin, tests so far indicate that approximately 45 percent of cases involve chikungunya, with no evidence yet of a new virus or dengue serotype.
Influenza data from the National Influenza Centre, jointly run by IEDCR and icddr,b, show that July 2025 recorded the highest detection rate in 18 years, with 1,453 of 2,455 tested patients (59.2 percent) confirmed positive. The flu season in Bangladesh typically runs from April to September.
Meanwhile, dengue cases have surged dramatically. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reports 27,115 hospitalizations by August 19, 2025, nearly three times last year’s 9,816 cases. Deaths have risen to 105 compared with 74 in 2024. The DGHS notes that total infections may be higher, as only hospitalizations are officially recorded.
Health authorities urge preventive measures during this peak season:
Frequent handwashing or use of sanitizer
Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Dispose of tissues safely and wash hands afterward
Avoid close contact with sick individuals
Minimize exposure in crowded areas
Wear masks if needed
Children under 5, seniors above 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions should receive the annual influenza vaccine
As Bangladesh faces this unrelenting fever wave, hospitals continue to witness high patient inflows, particularly among children. Authorities emphasize vigilance, early detection, and symptom-based care to mitigate the outbreak and prevent further strain on the healthcare system.
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