One Health Biweekly Update

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to share the fourth issue of the biweekly update from the One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh. This update highlights key developments and news related to diseases or conditions arising at the human-animal-wildlife interface.

We appreciate your continuous support and engagement. We highly value your feedback and thoughts, so please feel free to share them with us.

Our sincere apology for the delayed release owing to an unavoidable technical glitch.

Dr. Sabbir Haider

Dr. Nure Alam

Dr. Farhana Rahman

One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh

Bangladesh

Dengue Cases Spike in October 

October saw a surge in dengue, with 22,520 hospitalized cases and 80 deaths, the highest so far this year. Dhaka recorded the most cases, followed by the Barishal division. As of November 02, 2025, Bangladesh has reported 70,513 cases and 278 deaths. Of the reported cases, 62% were male and 38% female, while the deceased were 53% male and 47% female.

(Source: —----------------------)

Dog bites raise fear in Rajshahi 
Several dog bite incidents occurred across Rajshahi, injuring 12 pedestrians, including a child. These incidents happened on October 26 in areas including Digha Naodapara, Pukurpara, Athaliapara, and Amarpur in Bagha upazila and Sadhupara, Dharbila, and Laxbaria villages of Lalpur upazila. Local authorities have responded, and all injured individuals have received vaccinations.

(Source: —--------------)

Fresh Anthrax Cases Prompt Alerts in Rangpur

Local health and livestock authorities have issued an alert after nine people developed symptoms of anthrax in Pirganj Upazila, Rangpur. The outbreak followed the illness and slaughter of a cow on October 11. Eleven neighbours took part in butchering the animal, and the meat was later distributed among 55 relatives, leading to multiple infections. Health teams have identified all cases and are conducting awareness campaigns, visiting homes to educate residents on spotting and reporting sick animals. 

( Source : —----------------)

Rest of Asia 

Three Die from Visceral Leishmeniosis (Kala-azar) in Jharkhand, India

Two teenage girls and a 38-year-old woman from the Birhor community in Chouparan block, Hazaribag district, died of Kala- azar. The deceased were from different families and death happened over the course of 45 days. A medical team is investigating the death. 

(Source ________________) 

Avian Influenza Virus in Cambodia Raises Zoonotic Risk 

Cambodia reports a resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), with 16 cases in the past two years after a decade of no reported infections. Most cases occurred in children and adolescents exposed to infected poultry, with an overall mortality rate of 38%. The circulating virus has reassorted with other avian influenza strains, making it more virulent and capable of replicating in both birds and mammals, which raises risks for the poultry industry and increases the chance of zoonotic transmission.

(Source: _______________)

Rest of the world: 

Influenza and COVID Linked to Heart Disease

A metanalysis has revealed that infections with SARS COV-2 and influenza increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and strokes.  Other factors, such as Hepatitis C infection and shingles can also elevate the risk of CHD and strokes. 

(Source: —---------------) 

UK Trials Rapid Blood Test for Children 

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) is trialling a one-minute blood test to help diagnose life-threatening conditions like sepsis and meningitis in children. The test  distinguishes between a bacterial or viral infection, aiming to speed up treatment decisions and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.

(Source: ____________)