This year’s death toll from dengue surpasses 500

This year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease dengue surged past 500 on Tuesday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Seven more deaths were reported from dengue in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the disease in Bangladesh to 504 this year.

Among the recent fatalities, two occurred in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), two in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), two in Khulna Division (outside the city corporations), and one in Barishal Division.

During this period, 629 more patients were hospitalized with viral fever, said DGHS. Of them, 113 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals under Dhaka North City Corporation, while 11 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.

As of now, 2,559 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Since January 1, 2024, a total of 93,685 dengue cases have been reported.

Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 1,705 people, making it the deadliest year on record. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), there were 321,179 dengue cases and 318,749 recoveries in 2023.