Dear Readers,
The One Health Secretariat is happy to share the 21st issue of the One Health Biweekly Update.
This edition provides a brief overview of recent events from the last two weeks in Bangladesh, the region, and around the world, featuring updates on disease outbreaks, emerging health threats, and other One Health activities drawn from official and credible sources.
All previous issues remain available in our archive, reflecting the sustained interest and engagement of our growing readership.
Thank you for your continued interest and support in advancing One Health to strengthen the health of animals, humans, and broader ecosystems.
One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh
Dr. Syeda Tasnuva Maria
Senior Scientific Officer, Human Health Focal Point
Dr. Kazi Tahmina Karim
Livestock officer and Animal Health Focal point
Dr. Farhana Rahman
Epidemiologist and Focal point of Forest Department
Bangladesh
U.S. Provides 500,000 Dengue Diagnostic Test Kits to Bangladesh
The United States, through the USG-funded STRIDES Activity, provided 500,000 U.S.-made dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic test kits to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to support the Government’s efforts to strengthen dengue detection and case management amid the ongoing surge. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Trishita Maula handed over the kits to Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain at Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital (KMSH). Health Services Division Secretary Dr. A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid, Director General of Health Services Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas, and KMSH Director Brigadier General Md. Saydur Rahman were present at the handover ceremony.
Dengue Cases Continue to Rise Across Bangladesh in Second Half of September
Dengue transmission continued to increase across Bangladesh during the second half of September 2026. Between 16 and 30 September, 24,457 additional cases were reported, bringing the cumulative case count from 55,163 to 79,620, a 44.3% increase over the previous reporting period. During the same period, 81 additional dengue-related deaths were reported, raising the cumulative death toll to 245. The cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) remained relatively low at approximately 0.31%.
Dengue transmission remained widespread, with notable increases in reported cases across several divisions and city corporations. Dhaka Division, excluding the city corporations, reported 4,723 additional cases, accounting for approximately 19.3% of reported cases during the period. Outside the greater Dhaka area, Chattogram Division recorded 3,879 additional cases, followed by Khulna with 3,862 cases, and Barishal with 2,661. Dhaka South City Corporation continued to report the highest cumulative number of dengue-related deaths, with approximately 70 deaths recorded through the end of September.
The continued increase in cases and deaths, alongside the geographic spread of reported infections, highlights the need for sustained surveillance, strengthened vector control measures, timely clinical management, and coordinated public health interventions to limit further transmission and reduce dengue-associated morbidity and mortality.
Anthrax Cases Reported in Several Parts of Bangladesh
Human anthrax cases have been reported from several areas of Bangladesh, including Gaibandha in the north and Meherpur and Kushtia in the southwest. In Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha alone, 37 people, including 19 women, 14 men and 4 children, had received treatment for anthrax-related symptoms as of 26 September, following the slaughter of a sick cow and distribution of meat. In Meherpur and Kushtia, 482 people were diagnosed with anthrax during August and September, with cases concentrated in Gangni upazila of Meherpur and Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. In Gangni, many cases were linked to contact with goat meat. The reports reinforce the close link between animal health and human health, particularly the risks associated with livestock slaughter and handling and food safety, as well as the importance of coordinated animal and human health surveillance and response.
Rabies Detected Following Fox/Jackal Bites in Sundarganj
Recent dog and jackal bite incidents in Sadullapur and Sundarganj upazilas prompted a coordinated rabies investigation by human and animal health teams in Gaibandha. In Sadullapur, a nine-year-old child died following a dog bite, while another person was injured by the same dog. In Sundarganj, separate jackal attacks injured nine people, including women and children. The team collected samples and epidemiological information from the affected areas. The sample collected from the head of the Jackal was rabies-positive. These incidents underscore the importance of coordinated human and animal health action, from detecting and confirming rabies in animals to rapidly identifying and managing people who may have been exposed.
Bangladesh FETP Conference Highlights Field Epidemiology and One Health Research
The 2nd Bangladesh Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Conference, held in Dhaka on 20–21 September 2026, brought together researchers and public health professionals to share evidence and experience in field epidemiology and One Health. Held under the theme “Strengthening Field Epidemiology Practice,” the conference featured 48 oral and 81 poster presentations, including research addressing infectious diseases, surveillance, outbreak investigation, global health security, One Health and other public health challenges in Bangladesh. Inaugurating the conference, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M. A. Muhit highlighted IEDCR’s role in building Bangladesh’s epidemiological workforce through FETP and the contributions of its graduates at home and abroad. He also emphasized the value of field-based research in addressing real-world health challenges. The conference underscored the importance of a skilled epidemiological workforce for effective surveillance, outbreak investigation, and public health response.
Drinking-Water Salinity Linked to Cardiovascular Risk in Coastal Bangladesh
A research program in coastal Khulna and Satkhira found high levels of drinking-water salinity alongside substantial cardiovascular risk among adults. Researchers assessed drinking-water sources in 172 villages in Koyra upazila of Khulna and Assasuni upazila of Satkhira. Of 27,697 water sources surveyed, 6,703 were used for drinking. Salinity was detected in 55.3% of drinking-water sources in Koyra and 23.3% in Assasuni.
The research also assessed cardiovascular disease risk among 15,471 adults aged 40 years and above in these two upazilas. About one in five (21.6%) had a moderate-to-high estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with the reported national estimate of about 9%.
In response to the findings, the programme has developed an intervention package combining safer drinking-water access with primary healthcare. Measures include improved management of community water sources, rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters, tube wells, community engagement, and a digital system to monitor drinking-water sources.
Measles Cases Continue to Rise in Bangladesh
Measles transmission continued to worsen in Bangladesh during the second half of September, with cumulative reported cases increasing from 194,160 on 15 September to 213,251 on 30 September, a 9.8% increase. During the same period, 72 additional deaths were reported, raising the cumulative death toll from 1,036 to 1,108. Despite the continued increase in cases and deaths, the CFR declined slightly from 0.53% to 0.52%.
The outbreak is raising concern about the long-term health and development of Bangladesh’s youngest generation, with many infections occurring among children under two years of age. Beyond acute illness, measles can cause serious complications, including immune amnesia, which temporarily weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability to other infections. Rarely, it can also lead to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a severe neurological complication that may appear years after infection.
Although an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign reached approximately 20 million children, transmission continues. In late September, health authorities launched an additional campaign targeting 3.4 million children who may have been missed. Health experts emphasize that achieving and sustaining around 95% population immunity remains critical to interrupting measles transmission and preventing further outbreaks.
One Health Bangladesh Launches First Divisional Chapter in Barishal
One Health Bangladesh formally launched its first divisional chapter in Barishal on 19 September 2026. The Chapter brings together stakeholders from health, livestock, agriculture, education and research to strengthen collaboration on health risks affecting people, animals and the environment. Government officials, academics, graduate students and representatives from different sectors participated in the launch, with discussions focusing on coordinated disease surveillance, information sharing, food safety, research and community awareness. A committee was formed with Dr. Shyamol Kumar Mondal as Regional Coordinator and Dr. Nur Alam as General Secretary. The initiative expands the One Health platform to the subnational level and provides an opportunity to strengthen multisectoral collaboration closer to communities.
Rest of South Asia
Japanese Encephalitis Deaths Rise in Nepal
Nepal has reported 121 laboratory-confirmed Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases and 26 deaths across 36 districts across all seven provinces, with most infections occurring in the Terai districts. Among those who died, 77% were aged 50 years or older, and none had received JE vaccination. Jhapa recorded the highest number of deaths, with six. The reported case-fatality rate was 21%, while 56 patients remained under treatment.
Scrub Typhus Cases Rise Across Parts of India and Nepal
Scrub typhus is being reported in increasing numbers in parts of India and Nepal. In Sundargarh, Odisha, more than 800 people had tested positive by 19 September from approximately 5,600 samples, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance and community awareness activities. With more than 100 samples being examined daily, the district health department has intensified surveillance and community awareness activities.
In Darma Rural Municipality of Salyan, Nepal, more than 100 people tested positive and four deaths were reported within three weeks, with several new cases being detected each day. Some patients required referral to hospitals outside the district.
In a separate case in India, a 20-year-old university student died after four days of fever, with scrub typhus diagnosed after an illness that initially had symptoms overlapping with dengue. The case illustrates the challenge of differentiating scrub typhus from other common causes of acute fever and the importance of considering it in areas where multiple febrile diseases are circulating
Around the world
DRC Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 8,000 Confirmed Cases
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths by late September, according to the National Institute of Public Health data. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed the DRC’s 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in both confirmed cases and deaths, making it the country’s largest recorded Ebola outbreak. Health authorities and humanitarian organisations continue response efforts to contain transmission in affected areas.
World Leaders Renew Commitment to Pandemic Preparedness
World leaders renewed their commitment to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response at the second UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) on 25 September. Countries called for sustained investment, stronger national preparedness capacities, resilient health systems, and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. The meeting also recognized developments since the first high-level meeting in 2023, including adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations. Leaders reaffirmed the importance of a One Health approach that recognizes the links among human, animal, and environmental health in preventing and responding to future pandemics.
Pooled TB Testing Could Expand Access to Molecular Diagnosis
A multicountry study published in The Lancet Global Health evaluated pooled testing for tuberculosis using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay in seven countries, including Bangladesh. Among 14,040 participants with presumptive TB, researchers tested sputum samples individually or in pools of up to four. Pooled testing used 51% fewer cartridges, while maintaining high agreement with individual testing for most levels of bacterial burden. The findings suggest that pooled testing could expand access to molecular TB diagnosis in resource-constrained settings with existing laboratory capacity. Researchers from icddr,b and Bangladesh contributed to the study.
Infections Linked to 1 in 8 New Cancer Cases Worldwide
An analysis of global cancer data estimated that 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024, about 12% of all new cases, were attributable to infections. Five pathogens accounted for most infection-attributed : Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses, and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). H. pylori and HPV were each associated with about 750,000 cases, while hepatitis viruses were mainly linked to liver cancer. Vaccination, infection prevention, screening and treatment relevant infections can help reduce the burden of infection-attributable cancers.
Latest Global Trends in Cholera, Meningitis and Plague
Global surveillance data show mixed trends across cholera, meningitis, and plague. In 2025, 47 countries reported 451,499 cholera cases and 7,870 deaths. Although reported cases declined, cholera deaths increased by 30%, with seven countries, including Bangladesh, accounting for approximately 90% of reported cases and deaths. WHO also reported a modest decline in meningitis cases in Africa’s meningitis belt, where vaccination continues to reduce meningococcal disease. For plague, 3,847 suspected cases and 423 deaths were reported by 10 countries between 2019 and 2025. The findings underscore the continued importance of surveillance, vaccination where available, early detection, and rapid response to epidemic-prone bacterial diseases.
