Operationalising One Health for Dengue Prevention: Pathways Toward an Integrated Early Warning System in Bangladesh

The epidemiology of dengue in Bangladesh is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by climate variability, rapid urban expansion, and ecological change. Dengue is transforming a historically monsoon-bound disease into a persistent national health crisis. Recent outbreaks demonstrate expanding geographic distribution and altered transmission dynamics driven by rapid and unplanned urbanisation, and mosquito vector adaptation. These changes have reduced the effectiveness of conventional surveillance approaches that rely primarily on hospital-based reporting and reactive response. Addressing this evolving risk requires a predictive early warning system grounded in a One Health framework that integrates human, environmental, and vector surveillance.

A retrospective analysis was conducted using national routine dengue surveillance datasets reported by the Directorate General of Health Services, Bangladesh, for 2024–2025, alongside system-level evidence, to evaluate readiness for a One Health-based Early Warning System (EWS). Data quality, reporting continuity, and operational feasibility were assessed using WHO data-quality assessment approaches.

The datasets demonstrated nationwide reporting coverage but substantial data gaps, with approximately 53.2% of fields missing in 2024 and only 20.8% in 2025. Substantial data gaps, reporting inconsistencies, and limited interoperability constrain early outbreak detection. Current systems capture human clinical outcomes but lack systematic integration with entomological surveillance and ecological drivers such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity. These limitations reduce the ability to generate timely, actionable alerts.

The evolving epidemiology of dengue in Bangladesh necessitates transitioning from conventional surveillance to a predictive One Health early-warning system. Implementing a One Health framework can operationalise multi-sectoral integration, strengthen data systems, and enable anticipatory public health action. Bangladesh represents a critical frontline example of how climate, ecological disruption, and human population dynamics are reshaping dengue transmission. This demands a transition from conventional surveillance toward integrated One Health early warning systems. A coordinated One Health EWS represents a critical pathway for improving climate-sensitive disease preparedness and reducing future dengue burden in Bangladesh.