Dengue death toll in Bangladesh crosses 400-mark

Bangladesh today exceeded 400 dengue deaths as 18 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours till 8:00am today while 2,480 were admitted to different hospitals during same period.

"During the period, 919 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 1,561 were admitted to different hospitals outside Dhaka," a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

"This year, 416 deaths, the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000, were reported from dengue disease while 281 died last year," the daily statement of the DGHS said.

With the new cases, the total number of patients rose to 87,891, the statement said, adding: "Some 78,044 patients were released from different hospitals this year of the total patients."

"A total of 9,431 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Of them, 4,140 are in Dhaka while 5,291 are outside the capital city," it added.

According the DGHS statement, among the total dengue positive cases, 3,2798 are female and 55,093 male while 238 deaths from dengue are female and 178 male.

Health experts warned the dengue situation may deteriorate this month and in the next month, asking authorities concerned to launch a massive campaign against all types of mosquitoes.

Analysing the amount of rainfall, temperature and humidity in Bangladesh, they described August and September months as the most suitable period for breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Outbreaks of the disease are usually seasonal, peaking during and after the rainy season.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha