Dengue cases triple in one month

Bangladesh has seen an uptick in dengue cases and fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in the latter months of the year.

In just one month, the pressure on hospitals has increased several times. Experts express concern that this wave of dengue may persist until December.

An analysis of patient data from hospitals nationwide between Sept 1 and Oct 2 reveals a sharp rise in admissions.

In the first week of September, 2,366 patients were admitted, averaging 338 daily. By the fourth week of September, admissions had jumped to 5,457, averaging more than 779 daily.

In the week from Sept 29 to Oct 4, hospitals admitted 5,556 patients, with an average of over 1,111 daily. This indicates a rise of more than 773 daily admissions compared to the first week of September.

On Sept 1, there were 1,417 dengue patients in hospitals across the country. By Oct 1, that number had risen to 3,495.

From Sept 1 to Sept 7, a total of 9,842 patients received treatment in hospitals, averaging 1,406 per day. In contrast, from Sept 29 to Oct 3, 17,255 patients were admitted, averaging 3,451 daily.

On Thursday, 37 children were admitted to the dengue corner of the Bangladesh Sishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka.

Many children have returned home after treatment in the outpatient department. Due to the rising patient numbers, doctors said bed capacity has been expanded.

Tania Islam, mother of 1.5-year-old Sadman Islam from Dhaka’s Siddique Bazar, told bdnews24.com that her son has been suffering from breathing problems for the past few days. He was admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with dengue.

"His fever reached 104 degrees, accompanied by a cough and cold. After consulting a doctor, it was found that he had pneumonia. When the fever did not subside, we tested for dengue,” said Tania.

Mahmudul Haque Chowdhury, a resident doctor in the emergency department of the Bangladesh Sishu Hospital and Institute, told bdnews24.com on Thursday that the number of children admitted with dengue has risen sharply.

Initially, the dengue corner was equipped with 16 beds but has now expanded to 34 beds. Three other children are admitted to a different ward.

The doctor said children with dengue are coming with other complications besides fever.

He mentioned, “Some have fluid in their lungs or heart. Others are experiencing reduced urine output and abdominal pain. We are particularly concerned about children suddenly going into shock. [On Thursday], three children went into shock and were advised to be moved to ICU.”

At the DNCC Covid Hospital in Dhaka’s Mohakhali, 153 patients were admitted with dengue on Thursday, compared to just 37 patients a month earlier on Sept 3.

Tanisha Afrin Monika, a student from Tejgaon College, was among those admitted.

 “I had a high fever since Saturday, accompanied by vomiting and abdominal pain. The fever would not subside. After consulting a doctor and undergoing a blood test, I was diagnosed with dengue. I was admitted here on Tuesday,” she said.

The rise in dengue patients is also evident in private hospitals. On Thursday, 25 children were admitted to the private Dr MR Khan Shishu Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Dhaka’s Mirpur.

Among them was 2.5-year-old Nabil Ahmed, who was brought in by his mother, Jakiya Sultana.

 “His fever would not go down. He had a fever of 104 degrees. We had to admit him because the fever persisted. I cannot understand how he got bitten by an Aedes mosquito, as we do not have many around our area," said Jakiya.

Sheikh Daud Adnan, director of the Disease Control Branch of the Directorate General of Health Services, told bdnews24.com: "We are providing treatment as per guidelines for dengue patients. Our doctors have received the necessary training and instructions. If patients presenting with dengue symptoms require admission, they will be admitted without hesitation."