Despite being mid-November, dengue has claimed 84 lives and hospitalised 15,784 people in this month so far.

Bangladesh's first dengue outbreak in 2000 saw 93 deaths and 5,551 hospitalisations, with November accounting for only 11 deaths and 724 cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. 

In recent years, November dengue fatalities were two in 2018 and 2019, three in 2020, 113 in 2022, and a record 274 in 2023. Fresh cases in November were 1,192 in 2018, 4,011 in 2019, 546 in 2020, 3,567 in 2021, 19,334 in 2022, and 40,716 in 2023. 

Experts blame ineffective measures by Dhaka city corporations, climate change, and public unawareness for the high density of Aedes mosquitoes. Entomologist Manzur A Chowdhury warned that cases could peak this month and linger until February.

National University's entomologist GM Saifur Rahman criticised the ineffective identification and eradication of Aedes clusters, particularly in district towns. He urged enhanced surveillance and community collaboration. 

Prof Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University said climate change has altered Aedes mosquitoes' behaviour, enabling year-round breeding and biting at night, in addition to morning and evening.  He stressed the need for sustained anti-mosquito drives.