Dengue grips capital: 13 die, 1704 affected in last five months

Staff Reporter  :
The inhabitants of the capital have started grappling with dengue as the outbreak of the fever is showing the liner graph to the rising trend, leaving the residents helpless and authorities scrambling for solutions.
Meanwhile, the government, health professionals and experts have warned that this year’s outbreak is particularly going to be severe, surpassing previous records and stretching resources to their limits.

According to Health Ministry sources, Bangladesh logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
However, this year’s from January to May 28, a total of 1,704 people have been affected by dengue. Among them, 13 people have died, the Ministry of Health said.
With the cycle of each year, the dengue menace in Dhaka has been escalating and posing a significant threat to public health and demanding immediate action.
As the peak season that is the rainy season, the dengue outbreak takes a serious turn when hundreds of infected patients rush to the hospitals and clinics for admission and the authorities are found with series of announcements for whipping the awareness of the citizens.

Last year it was seen an alarming rise in dengue cases which overwhelmed hospitals and the medical kits for instant tests were getting difficult due to paucity of it.
According to Health Minister Zahid Maleque, this year the number of dengue cases has already increased fivefold compared to last year.
“Dengue prevalence has increased in our country and neighboring countries. Our department has taken appropriate measures. From January to May 28, we have identified 1,704 dengue patients, and 13 deaths have occurred during this time. If we compare it to last year, the number of patients this year is nearly five times higher. This indicates a significant increase in the number of patients,” he said.

He revealed this information during a press conference held at the Secretariat on Monday.
He further explained, “We have taken several steps in this regard. Meetings were held with the directors of our hospitals to ensure preparedness. We have arranged training for our doctors and nurses. The dengue surveillance is ongoing. Reports have been sent to two city corporations.”
Regarding hospital facilities, the minister said, “Since the number of patients is increasing in hospitals, we are taking action. Separate wards and corners have been designated for dengue patients. In the last few years, we have trained 1,500 doctors and nurses.”

“We have included various localities to raise awareness among the people. Teachers and students from educational institutions are actively participating in spreading awareness,” he said.
In order to combat the mosquito-borne disease, the minister said, “Members of the armed forces have also been involved, as they can alert the public on how to prevent dengue, how to survive mosquito bites, and the importance of seeking immediate medical treatment if infected.”

The minister also mentioned that posters, banners, and television advertisements have been arranged for public awareness campaigns.
He emphasised, “The local government ministry had convened a meeting, and our representatives attended. We are prepared to take any emergency measures if necessary.”
Urging the public, the minister said, “Through your mass media, we want to inform the people to take preventive measures against dengue. Keep the surroundings of your homes clean, spray insect repellents, and clear any stagnant water or other potential breeding sites. We must take responsibility for these actions ourselves. If anyone falls ill, they should come to the hospital for immediate treatment. Timely medical attention can help almost everyone recover.

Within the last 24 hours, 72 new dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals in the country. Among them, 58 have been admitted to various hospitals in Dhaka, while 14 have been admitted to hospitals outside Dhaka, according to Directorate General of Public Health (DGPH) read.
However, no deaths from dengue have been reported during this time.

There are currently a total of 226 dengue patients receiving treatment in various government and private hospitals in the country. In 53 government and private hospitals in Dhaka, there are currently 198 patients, and in other divisions, there are 28 patients admitted, DGH said.
In the past year, a total of 1,843 patients were admitted to hospitals throughout the country due to dengue. Among them, 1,235 were in Dhaka, and 608 outside of Dhaka.
On the other hand, a total of 1,604 patients have recovered and returned home after treatment in hospitals. Among them, 1,027 recovered in Dhaka, and 577 in different locations outside of Dhaka.