Record 19 dengue patients die, 1,792 newly infected

Staff Reporter :
Dengue fever is taking a serious turn in the country as 19 more patients died on Wednesday.
A total of 1,792 newly infected people were admitted to different hospitals in the last 24 hours across the country, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The tally of deaths from the mosquito-borne disease has reached 146.

Moreover, 1,792 patients were hospitalised across the country in the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning, with a total of 25,792 people admitted to hospitals this year, according to the DGHS.
Of the new cases, 922 were reported in Dhaka city and the rest 870 were from various parts of the country.

So far 21,884 dengue patients were released from hospitals since January 1 till the date this year in the country.
A total of 5,552 dengue patients, including 3,370 in Dhaka, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country, shows the DGHS data.
Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have the highest number of dengue cases.

The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022, the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Additionally, the DGHS recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
The warning signs include severe stomach pain, vomiting, breathing difficulties, bleeding from the nose, gums, vomit, or stools, weakness, significant reduction in urine output, and a notable decrease in platelet counts.

Public health experts stressed the need for immediate hospitalisation as dengue patients can rapidly progress to critical stages within 24-48 hours of displaying these symptoms.
They further advised that special attention should be given to pregnant women, infants, elderly individuals, and patients with underlying health conditions such as cancer, heart, kidney, or liver complications.

Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, highlighted the importance of consulting a doctor and receiving appropriate medication if diagnosed with fever.
Adequate fluid intake is crucial for dengue patients, and Dr Shirin recommended consuming coconut water, saline, homemade fruit juices, and sorbets to maintain hydration and provide

essential vitamins and minerals for a faster recovery process.

PRE-MONSOON SURVEY
The findings of a pre-monsoon survey were announced yesterday during a press briefing held at the DGHS office.

The survey, conducted between June 18 and 27, covered 3,150 households across 98 wards in the two city corporations of Dhaka.
The survey revealed that 20.04 percent of houses under the Dhaka North City Corporation and 15.47 percent of houses under the Dhaka South City Corporation were found to have Aedes mosquito larvae.
Multi-storeyed apartment buildings constituted over 43 percent, houses accounted for 21.41 percent, and construction sites made up 18.21 percent of the affected properties.

The survey also identified various types of wet containers within the houses that were positive for mosquito breeding. The highest percentage, 14.54 percent, was found in buildings where stagnant water accumulated due to rain or other reasons.

Plastic buckets accounted for 9.28 percent, plastic drums for 8.73 percent, flower tubs and trays for 8.03 percent, plastic mugs or pots for 7.89 percent, and used discarded tires for 7.76 percent.