October proved to be a deadly month for dengue in Bangladesh, with 22,000 people hospitalised and 80 deaths reported, according to health authorities.

Hospitals across the country witnessed a steady surge in dengue patients throughout the month, and experts warn the outbreak may persist through November and December.

At Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Hospital in Mohakhali, 149 patients were admitted in the last 24 hours of October — 128 of them diagnosed with dengue — marking the highest single-day admission this year. Currently, 279 dengue patients are under treatment there.

Hospital officials said around 80% of the admitted patients came from Narayanganj, while others arrived from Vatara, Badda, and Demra areas of the capital.

Relatives of patients complained that no anti-mosquito spraying was carried out in their localities, leading to a spike in mosquito breeding and dengue infections.

As of October 31 last year, 61,000 dengue cases had been reported. This year, the figure has climbed to 70,000, with infections in October nearly doubling those of August.

Former DGHS director Dr Benazir Ahmed said dengue can strike multiple times as there are four strains of the virus, each increasing the risk of complications.

Many patients don’t realize their condition is worsening after the fever subsides — the body can deteriorate internally without clear symptoms,” he warned.

Despite improved treatment facilities, dengue deaths have not stopped. So far this year, 278 people have died, with nearly 200 fatalities recorded in the last three months alone.

DGHS Director Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan said the government has made dengue tests free to encourage early detection.

We want to ensure no one delays testing for financial reasons. The government is doing its utmost to stand by the people,” he said.

However, entomologists noted that mosquito control measures remained inadequate. Jahangirnagar University entomologist Prof Dr Kabirul Bashar said Aedes mosquitoes are still active enough to transmit dengue.

Unlike other years, the situation won’t ease in November — the outbreak is likely to continue through December,” he warned.

According to DGHS data, about 3,000 dengue patients are currently hospitalised across the country.