Dengue: 2 die, 687 hospitalised

Bangladesh has recorded two more deaths from dengue fever over the past 24 hours, while another 687 people have been hospitalised.

This tally of deaths rose to 181 this year, and the total number of hospitalisations this year to 42,609.

According to the health directorate’s bulletin on Monday, one patient died at Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, and the other at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

One of the them was a 15-year-old male and the other a 62-year-old female.

The month of September has seen a notable spike, with 59 deaths reported until Monday, surpassing the previous high of 41 fatalities in July.

Bangladesh also witnessed deaths from dengue in other months, including 10 in January, three in February, seven in April, three in May, 19 in June, and 39 in August. No deaths were reported in March.

September has seen the highest number of hospital admissions with 11,033 patients, followed closely by July with 10,684. Other months saw varying figures, including 1,161 in January, 374 in February, 336 in March, 701 in April, 1,773 in May, 5,951 in June, and 10,496 in August.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services said the highest number of dengue-related deaths in Bangladesh has been among young adults aged 20 to 30 this year.

Dr Md Halimur Rashid, director of DGHS infectious disease control wing, shared the findings at a press conference on Monday.

The health directorate says dengue shock syndrome was the leading cause of death, followed by expanded dengue syndrome. Health officials believe that delayed hospital visits for serious cases are contributing to the increasing death toll.