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Bangladesh has detected 11 cases of the Zika virus and 67 cases of Chikungunya across the country so far this year.
Md Abu Jafor, director general of health services, revealed the figures gathered on mosquito-borne diseases by government agencies at a media briefing on Monday. The majority of the cases were reported in Dhaka, he said, according to a bdnews24.com report.
"These infections were identified during the investigation of dengue cases. The fatality rates for Zika and Chikungunya are low, so there is no reason to panic.”
Private hospitals have also seen a rise in Chikungunya cases this year. In November alone, Square Hospital treated 314 patients with Chikungunya symptoms.
Medical specialists have noted an increasing number of patients presenting similar symptoms in their clinics.
DGHS data shows that as of December 1, 92,351 people across the country have been hospitalised due to dengue this year, with the death toll standing at 494.
November saw the highest number of fatalities in a month, with 173 deaths.
Abu Jafor attributed the high mortality rate to delays in seeking medical care.
“The higher number of deaths is because patients are brought to hospitals too late. It’s crucial to take critical cases to the hospital as quickly as possible. In Dhaka, most deaths occurred among those aged 20 to 40, while in Chattogram, the death rate is higher among children and the elderly."