More men infected with dengue, more women dying: three more deaths in a day, 1,299 new hospital admissions
As the dengue outbreak grows in the country, a notable difference between men and women has emerged in the statistics for infections and deaths. Although men make up the larger share of hospitalised patients, women account for more of the deaths, according to gender-based data from the Directorate General of Health Services.
In its regular report on Friday (October 23), the health directorate said three more people had died after being infected with dengue. Another 1,299 people were newly admitted to hospital. The total number of deaths this year has now reached 371.
According to the directorate, from January 1, 2026 to Friday, men accounted for 62.1 percent of dengue patients admitted to hospital and women for 37.9 percent. On the other hand, the report noted that the number of women among the dead is higher than that of men.
Experts say women not taking their own illness seriously, delays in seeking treatment, financial hardship and social barriers to accessing healthcare may be playing a role behind this situation. If a woman is infected with dengue during pregnancy, there is also a risk of added complications for the mother and the unborn child.
The same pattern appears in the age breakdown of infections and deaths. An analysis of the directorate's age-based data shows a significant number of infections among people aged 26 to 50. Adding up the different groups in that age range gives 52,531 infections. Among them, 31,827 are men and 20,704 are women.
In the same age range, women also account for more deaths. According to the data provided, among the dead in this age group, 75 are men and 98 are women. In other words, about 56.6 percent of the deaths recorded in this age range are women.
Noted epidemiologist Professor Dr Mushtaq Hossain believes social inequality may play an important role behind women's dengue deaths. Compared with male family members, many women take their own illness less seriously. At the same time, they do not always receive enough attention from family members regarding necessary care and treatment.
Especially for women in financially disadvantaged families, the cost of treatment, household responsibilities and looking after children can affect the decision to seek treatment. As a result, they may delay going to a doctor even after fever or symptoms appear.
A dengue patient's condition can sometimes deteriorate quickly. It is therefore important to consult a doctor when fever appears and to go to hospital quickly if warning signs of the disease appear. Delay in seeking treatment can also delay the start of necessary monitoring and management of the patient.
However, there is not enough information to conclude that delay in seeking treatment is the only reason behind women's higher deaths. For a reliable conclusion, gender-based death rates, patients' physical condition, the time taken to reach hospital and treatment information need to be analysed.
Dr Tahmina Daisy, associate professor at the Mother and Child Institute in Matuail in the capital, said dengue during pregnancy can carry a risk of serious complications for both mother and child. At such a time, close monitoring of the patient's physical condition and ensuring treatment as needed are important.
Dengue can cause problems such as a fall in blood platelets, bleeding and liver complications. When infection occurs during pregnancy, the health of the unborn child must be considered alongside the mother's condition. In some cases, the risk of miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight may rise. But not all pregnant women infected with dengue develop such complications.
Dr Tahmina Daisy has also advised giving importance to women's nutritional deficiency and anaemia. In her view, women often ignore their own illness while carrying out household responsibilities. If they do not receive necessary support from the family, seeking treatment can become even harder.
In Dr Mushtaq Hossain's view, to reduce dengue deaths, access to treatment for poor and marginalised communities must be increased. Rapid disease detection, testing and necessary treatment in densely populated areas and among disadvantaged groups are important.
Overall, this picture of infections and deaths highlights the need for dengue prevention as well as rapid detection and timely treatment. Experts believe positive progress in tackling dengue complications is possible if women's illness is taken seriously, financial and social barriers are reduced, and timely treatment is ensured.
