Health Crisis in Bangladesh 2025: What Every Traveler Should Know

In Brief

In 2025, Bangladesh is experiencing its highest mortality rate in twenty years. The abrupt cut in large portions of American development aid, decided at the beginning of the year by the Trump administration, has directly weakened vaccination programs in the country. For any traveler, expatriate, or foreign resident, this situation necessitates heightened health vigilance before and during their stay.

In 2025, Bangladesh records its highest mortality rate in two decades. Cuts in American aid have disrupted national vaccination campaigns, increasing risks for foreign travelers present in the country.

A Record Mortality Rate: Understanding What’s Happening in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is not a country typically known for topping global health alerts. However, the indicators for 2025 are unprecedented in at least twenty years: the mortality rate has reached a historic level, according to available epidemiological data. Several factors converge to explain this alarming situation.

On one hand, the country is suffering from the combined effects of endemic infectious diseases — dengue, cholera, tuberculosis — which remain structurally high in rural areas and major urban centers like Dhaka and Chittagong. On the other hand, a sudden and brutal weakening of the public health system has disrupted preventive mechanisms that had been functioning, albeit imperfectly, for several decades.

The Domino Effect of Cuts in American Aid

In January 2025, the Trump administration announced the elimination or suspension of large portions of American international development aid. This decision, presented as a budgetary measure, has had immediate health consequences in many recipient countries — and Bangladesh is among them.

Specifically, programs funded by USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development) were responsible for part of the vaccine purchases, training local health personnel, and logistics for distribution in hard-to-reach areas. Their sudden interruption has created stock shortages, disrupted vaccination schedules, and left local structures that depended on them without funding.

⚠️ Warning

The weakening of vaccination programs in Bangladesh in 2025 does not mean that all medical infrastructure has disappeared. However, it implies that the health guarantees usually in place for travelers are less robust than before. Plan your medical preparations more thoroughly before departure.

What This Means for You as a Foreigner in Bangladesh

Less Accessible Vaccines Locally

If you are residing in Bangladesh or planning an extended stay, do not rely on the local availability of certain vaccines to complete your protection. The supply chain is disrupted in several regions. Update your vaccinations before your departure, either in your home country or at a travel medicine center.

The vaccines recommended for Bangladesh typically include: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera (depending on the areas), and possibly Japanese encephalitis for extended rural stays. Check the current recommendations with the health authorities in your own country.

Medical Facilities Under Pressure

Bangladeshi public hospitals are facing increased demand in a context of constrained resources. For foreigners, private clinics in Dhaka remain a more reliable option, but their quality is uneven. Identify before any emergency the facilities recommended by your embassy or consulate, and ensure that your international health insurance adequately covers care in Bangladesh.

Dengue and Cholera Remain the Most Immediate Threats

Regardless of the cuts in aid, Bangladesh remains endemic to dengue, particularly during and after the monsoon season (June to October). Cholera, although partially controlled, can quickly reappear in areas where water management is inadequate — which still affects large portions of the territory. In 2025, with weakened surveillance systems, early detection of these outbreaks is less guaranteed than before.

✅ Practical Advice

Download the WHO epidemiological tracking app or your national health ministry's app before you leave. These tools allow you to receive real-time alerts about outbreaks of infectious diseases in the country you are in, including Bangladesh.

Preparing for Your Stay in Bangladesh in 2025: Essential Health Checklist

Up-to-date vaccinations: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and all routine vaccinations (measles, whooping cough, tetanus)

International health insurance: check that it covers emergency medical repatriation from Bangladesh

First aid kit: include water purifiers, antiparasitics, antidiarrheals, and high-efficiency mosquito protection (minimum 30% DEET)

Identified medical contacts: note the contact details of your embassy or consulate and recommended private clinics in Dhaka

Water and food: consume only sealed or treated bottled water; avoid raw foods in high-risk areas

Staying Informed During Your Stay

The health situation in Bangladesh is evolving rapidly in 2025. Official alerts from the WHO, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and national public health agencies are the most reliable sources. Also, consult the guidelines from your embassy or consulate in the country — these diplomatic missions regularly publish health and safety updates for their nationals.

For administrative questions related to your expatriate situation in Bangladesh — medical procedures, social coverage, rights as a foreigner — the resources available on SOS-Expat.com and our articles section can help you anticipate the necessary steps.

💡 Good to Know

The WHO maintains a permanent office in Dhaka and publishes regular epidemiological bulletins on Bangladesh. This is the most up-to-date source on the health situation in the country in 2025.

🔗 Official Sources

WHO — Bangladesh Country Office

USAID — Information on International Aid Programs

ECDC — European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Health situations evolve rapidly. Consult a healthcare professional or a travel medicine center for recommendations tailored to your personal situation before traveling to Bangladesh.

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