Five more die of dengue in a day as 1,366 hospitalised across the country
Five more people have died of the Aedes mosquito-borne disease dengue in the past 24 hours in the country. With this, the death toll from dengue this year has risen to 357.
The figures were disclosed in a press release sent by the Directorate General of Health Services on Tuesday (October 20). As on other days, the regular update presented the latest picture of the dengue situation across the country.
During the same period, 1,366 newly infected dengue patients were admitted to hospitals in different parts of the country. With so many patients admitted in a single day, pressure on hospitals continues.
This brings the total number of people hospitalised with dengue this year to 115,617. Counted from the start of the year, the figure underlines the severity of the dengue spread.
The division-wise breakdown in the release shows the highest number of admissions in Dhaka Division — 638 patients in the past 24 hours. The capital and its surrounding areas remain the main centre of dengue.
The picture outside Dhaka is also worrying. In the past day, 191 new patients were admitted in Barishal Division, 141 in Khulna, 128 in Rajshahi and 105 in Chattogram.
In addition, 80 patients were admitted in Mymensingh Division, 72 in Rangpur and 11 in Sylhet. In other words, dengue infection has spread to almost every division of the country, although Dhaka remains at the top in numbers.
Doctors say that if fever appears, it should not be neglected — medical advice should be sought quickly and tests done if necessary. In dengue, falling platelets and fluid loss in the body can make the situation complicated very quickly.
According to public health experts, preventing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes is the main way to control dengue. Keeping standing water around homes clean and strengthening mosquito-control activities by local administrations are essential to tackling the disease.
As the death toll keeps rising, anxiety among the general public is also growing. Hospital authorities are having to take extra preparations to handle the pressure of admitted patients.
The health directorate has been providing regular updates on the dengue situation through press releases. Everyone concerned is watching closely to see which way the situation turns.
