wellness
What Local Sources Say About Preventive Health in Dhaka
A guide to routine screenings, vaccinations, and water safety based on official and medical sources.
How we reported this
Staying healthy in Dhaka means being proactive. According to health guidelines, the city’s primary mosquito-borne threat is dengue fever, with over 102,000 cases recorded across Bangladesh in 2025, while malaria is not a transmission risk. For residents and travelers alike, a preventive health approach-including routine screenings, vaccinations, and water safety-can catch issues early and reduce the risk of infection.
Routine Screenings and Checkups
Regular checkups are recommended to detect conditions before symptoms appear. Routine preventive screenings essential for adults include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol profiles, complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function tests, and thyroid testing. In Bangladesh, preventive health checkup packages range from 399 to 25,000 BDT per person, depending on the package type. These tests can help identify common issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and liver or kidney dysfunction, which are often manageable when caught early.
Vaccinations and Travel Health
Health authorities advise that routine vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), and polio should be up to date. Due to risks of contaminated food and water, travelers to Dhaka should also receive hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. These vaccinations are widely available at clinics and hospitals across the city, and are recommended before visiting Dhaka or for those newly relocating.
Water Safety and Mosquito Prevention
Tap water in Dhaka is considered unsafe to drink. Preventive health guidelines require treating tap water as unsafe and drinking only bottled or properly filtered water to avoid infections like leptospirosis. Additionally, using mosquito repellent and sleeping under nets can reduce dengue risk, especially during the monsoon season. Local health campaigns often emphasize these measures to protect against outbreaks.
For personalized health advice, consult a local medical professional. The sources for this guide include CDC travel health information, WHO guidelines, Bangladesh health department resources, UK government travel advice, and medical screening guides, all listed below.