Dengue kills 5, 839 hospitalised in 24 hours

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has said the country's dengue outbreak continues to worsen, with five more deaths and 839 new patients hospitalised in the past 24 hours, in its regular press release issued on Sunday (August 23).

According to DGHS data, a total of 82 people have died of dengue so far this year. Of the five deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, four were residents of Dhaka and one was from Mymensingh division.

A total of 28,929 dengue cases have been detected across the country so far this year, of whom 26,897 have recovered after hospital treatment and returned home.

DGHS statistics show that dengue infections rose sharply in August compared to July this year. While 9,206 cases were detected in July, 13,619 cases were detected in just the first 23 days of August.

On a month-wise basis, 1,081 people were infected with dengue in January, 409 in February, 353 in March, 640 in April, 714 in May and 2,907 in June.

The DGHS said dengue infections are rising rapidly with the onset of the monsoon season, with the number of cases in the first 23 days of August alone surpassing the total number of cases detected throughout July.

Meanwhile, dengue patients, including the 839 admitted in the past 24 hours, are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals across the country.