Dengue kills four more, toll climbs to 307

Bangladesh recorded four more dengue deaths and 2,167 new hospital admissions in the 24 hours to 8 am on Monday, pushing this year’s death toll to 307 and the cumulative number of hospitalised cases to 101,442, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

All four of the latest fatalities were residents of areas under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) who died while receiving hospital treatment, following another four deaths on Sunday. Monday’s admissions were marginally lower than the previous day’s record of 2,193, though the figures underscore the relentless pressure on hospitals as infections and deaths remain elevated nationwide. Outside the Dhaka city corporation areas, Dhaka division admitted the most new patients, 530, while Dhaka North and South city corporations each recorded 250. Meanwhile, Khulna reported 304 cases, Chattogram 293, Barishal 236, Rajshahi 160, Rangpur 84, Mymensingh 70 and Sylhet 16. DSCC has accounted for the highest number of deaths this year, at 84, followed by Khulna division with 63.

Medical and entomological experts say the outbreak has become more severe in October than in September and August. Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University and an entomologist, said the surge had been anticipated, blaming inadequate mosquito-control programmes for the sustained rise in infections and fatalities, and warned that the situation could persist into November. Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain, for his part, said that effective Aedes control demands scientifically planned measures targeting both adult mosquitoes and larvae, which could take two to three years to yield substantial results. In the interim, he urged rapid NS1 testing at district, upazila and secondary-level hospitals in order to curb deaths.

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Moreover, medical specialist Dr ABM Abdullah and physicians at Mugda Medical College Hospital said some patients were developing dengue shock syndrome within one to two days, citing plasma leakage, falling platelet counts and, in severe cases, heart attacks and organ failure as principal complications. Children, older people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses may face heightened risks, particularly after repeated infections, and doctors advised anyone with a high fever to seek prompt medical advice and to avoid painkillers other than paracetamol without professional guidance. Asked whether the government had failed to contain the disease, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain pointed to changes in the disease’s pattern and outlined ongoing measures, including adherence to national treatment protocols, fogging against adult mosquitoes, larvicides against larvae and weekly Saturday cleanliness drives. He also urged residents to prevent Aedes breeding by removing stagnant water from rooftop plant pots and other containers.