Dengue scourge has been taking a turn for the worse in Bangladesh. The worsening dengue menace is largely attributed to climate change effects that have resulted in the prevalence of this disease throughout the year.

Subsequently, October emerged as the deadliest month for dengue fever in Bangladesh this year, claiming 80 lives and recording the highest number of cases. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the country logged 2,250 dengue cases in October alone - a grim reflection of how this mosquito-borne disease continues to tighten its grip on the nation.

Over the first ten months of 2025, dengue has taken 278 lives and infected nearly 70,000 people though last year's death toll surpassed 575. But sheer number of infections this year tells another story. It reveals how dengue has become a public health crisis.

Another worrying factor is that dengue outbreak is not only occurring all over the seasons, it is now no longer confined to the capital. Evidently, Barishal City Corporation alone reported 17,224 cases, the highest in the country, followed by large numbers in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other divisions. The distribution of deaths - with the majority in Dhaka South and North City Corporations - points to the urban vulnerability created by poor waste management, stagnant water, and unplanned urbanization.

Health experts have long warned that Bangladesh is witnessing the transformation of dengue into an endemic disease, largely driven by environmental and climatic factors. Erratic rainfall, prolonged monsoon seasons, and rising temperatures have created ideal breeding conditions for different types of Aedes mosquitoes that carry dengue virus.

Although dengue situation deteriorates significantly, our government's response has remained insufficient. Conventional control measures - fogging and larvicide spraying - are proving inadequate as mosquito behaviour evolves. These methods may provide short-term relief, but they fail to address the deeper ecological and infrastructural problems that fuel the spread of dengue. Without scientific understanding and community-level adaptation, Bangladesh risks fighting a losing battle against dengue year after year.

The time has come for a more integrated and forward-looking strategy. Authorities must invest in climate-resilient public health planning - combining environmental management, urban sanitation, and community education. Waste disposal systems must be improved to eliminate breeding sites. Local governments should coordinate with health departments to ensure early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms.

Equally crucial is investment in research. Understanding how climate change affects mosquito lifecycles, habitats, and resistance patterns. Collaboration with universities, research institutions, and international partners can yield the scientific insights urgently needed to stay ahead of this imminent threat.

This is why the government must move beyond emergency responses and build a sustained, science-driven defence against dengue - before the disease turns into a permanent danger of our national life.