Dengue deaths this year near 100 as outbreak continues

The dengue outbreak in Bangladesh shows no signs of slowing, with three more deaths reported in the last 24 hours and 325 new cases admitted to hospitals across the country.

According to a daily update issued by the Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday, August 9, the cumulative dengue toll this year has reached 98 deaths, with 23,735 infections recorded so far.

The latest dengue cases were reported from various divisions and city corporations, with 66 cases from Barisal Division (outside City Corporation), 54 from Chittagong Division (outside City Corporation), 49 from Dhaka Division (outside City Corporation), 33 from Dhaka North City Corporation, 62 from Dhaka South City Corporation, 14 from Khulna Division (outside City Corporation), 6 from Mymensingh Division (outside City Corporation), and 41 from Rajshahi Division (outside City Corporation).

In the same 24-hour period, 306 patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries this year to 22,304.

Of the total 23,735 dengue patients this year, 58.7 per cent are male and 41.3 per cent are female, the report stated.

The current outbreak remains severe, though less deadly than previous years. In 2023, dengue claimed 1,705 lives and led to 321,179 hospitalisations nationwide. In **2024, the death toll stood at 575, with 1,11,214 hospitalisations.

Health authorities continue to urge citizens to eliminate stagnant water, use mosquito repellents, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, joint pain, or rashes appear.

The government has intensified fogging drives and public awareness campaigns, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where Aedes mosquitoes are most prevalent.