Dengue deaths hit 67 in first 16 days of September

Dengue has taken 67 lives across the country in the first 16 days of September, pushing the country’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 164 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The latest seven deaths were reported in the 24 hours to 8am on Tuesday (September 15), while 1,593 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country.

Another 1,566 patients recovered and were discharged during the period.

So far this year, 55,163 dengue patients have been hospitalised, with 50,941 discharged after treatment. The September death toll has already surpassed the 43 deaths recorded throughout August, which had previously been the deadliest month of the year.

The surge has put hospitals under severe pressure, particularly in Dhaka. On Monday, 187 patients were being treated at Mugda General Hospital against its designated capacity of 60 beds, with some patients receiving treatment on floors and verandas.

Dengue hospitalisations also hit a yearly high on Monday, when 1,733 patients were admitted in a single 24-hour period. Eight deaths were reported during the same period.

The latest admissions included 171 patients in hospitals in Dhaka North City Corporation and 132 in Dhaka South. Outside the city corporations in Dhaka division, 383 patients were admitted. Khulna recorded 290 admissions, Chattogram 165, Barishal 159, Rajshahi 137, Mymensingh 82, Rangpur 65 and Sylhet nine.

DGHS officials said additional beds were being arranged at government hospitals and patients could be referred to private facilities if necessary. Hospitals in dengue-prone areas outside Dhaka have also been instructed to strengthen treatment capacity.

Entomologist Prof Kabirul Bashar warned that the situation could worsen in October, citing his forecasting model. He also urged greater public awareness about Aedes mosquitoes, saying studies have found that they can bite at night as well.