Number of new dengue cases declining: Health minister

Published: August 13, 2019 17:28:29 | Updated: August 14, 2019 12:51:18

The number of new patients hospitalised with dengue is declining because the people are becoming more aware about the disease, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said Tuesday, reports UNB.

He made the remark after visiting Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, and Combined Military Hospital, a PID handout said.

He interacted with the patients and enquired about their treatment. “The hospital staff and health sector officials who sacrificed their Eid vacation to serve the patients deserve to be lauded,” he said.

At least 1,200 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in 24 hours until Tuesday morning, the government said. During the same period on Monday, 2,093 patients were hospitalised.

“The increasing awareness of the general people is one of the biggest reasons behind the decrease in the number of newly-hospitalised dengue patients,” the minister told the media.

Since January, 44,471 people were hospitalised with dengue, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

Of them, 36,884 had made full recovery.

Currently, 4,115 patients are being treated at 40 government and private hospitals in the capital. Another 3,432 patients are being treated at hospitals outside Dhaka.

The government has so far confirmed 40 deaths although the unofficial estimates suggest a higher death toll.

At least four deaths were reported from across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

Minister Maleque asked the patients and their relatives not to panic and raise awareness about the disease and receive proper treatment.