In our country, dengue is no longer just a seasonal disease limited to the monsoon; rather, it has turned into a year-round terror. Amidst this, a major and dangerous shift has occurred in the nature and strain of the dengue virus. While "DEN-2" was the most active among the four dengue serotypes over the past two years, "DEN-3" has now taken its place. Recent research by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has revealed alarming information—currently, the presence of the DEN-3 virus is found in the bodies of nearly 91 percent of dengue patients. This sudden change in the virus has sparked renewed anxiety and concern among public health experts.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Statistics and Comparative Picture of Previous Years

Reviewing the data from the Directorate General of Health Services provides a clear picture of this transformation in dengue. In past years, the prevalence of the DEN-2 virus was the highest in the country.

• Picture of 2024: That year, DEN-2 was identified in more than 70 percent of dengue patients. On the other hand, the infection rate for DEN-3 was just a little over 20 percent. • Picture of 2025: The situation began to shift this year. Infections of DEN-2 dropped to 48.5 percent, while infections of DEN-3 increased to reach 35 percent. • Current Situation: The latest IEDCR research shows that DEN-3 is now almost overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 91 percent of total patients. Such rapid mutation of the virus poses a major challenge for medical scientists.

Experts' Apprehensions and Physical Complications

According to expert physicians, the dengue virus has a total of four serotypes or strains. If someone who was previously infected with one strain of dengue (e.g., DEN-2) is subsequently infected with a completely different strain (e.g., DEN-3), the risk of developing extremely severe complications in their body increases manifold. In medical science, this is known as secondary infection or antibody-dependent enhancement, which can rapidly reduce blood platelets in a patient and create life-threatening conditions such as dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Public Welfare Warnings and Preventive Measures To combat this new strain and changed situation of dengue, ordinary people need to be much more aware. Some essential preventive measures are outlined below:

• Destroying Mosquito Breeding Grounds: Stagnant water around houses, on rooftops, verandas, or yards must be cleaned regularly. Water should not be allowed to accumulate for more than three days in flower pots, tires, coconut shells, or unused containers.

• Personal Protection: People should sleep under mosquito nets even during the day, and wear full-sleeve clothes and use mosquito repellent cream when going outside.

• No Negligence When Symptoms Appear: Medical advice should be sought as soon as fever sets in, and a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test should be done if necessary.

• Adequate Fluid Intake: If infected with dengue, plenty of water, oral saline, fruit juice,

• and liquid foods should be consumed to prevent the body from becoming dehydrated.

This change in the dengue virus strain is a clear warning for us. Dengue cannot be controlled through treatment alone; it requires a coordinated mosquito eradication campaign and public awareness. Let us everyone become aware from our respective positions, keep our surroundings clean, and protect ourselves and our families from this terrible disease.

Author: Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla