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Dengue fever

Dengue Cases Surge in Dhaka, Southern Area Hit Hard

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Dhaka is struggling with a rapid increase in dengue cases, with the southern part of the city emerging as the hardest-hit area. The health authorities report that more than half of the deaths from the mosquito-borne disease have occurred in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area, despite a lower overall number of cases compared to last year. The situation remains critical, with record hospital admissions in recent days. A student, Maruf, 18, died from dengue at a private hospital in Dhaka, leaving his family devastated.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of September, the majority of patients and deaths from dengue have been concentrated in Dhaka south, which accounts for over 25% of all reported cases this year.
  • The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area has seen over half of all dengue deaths, with 58 deaths and 4,201 confirmed cases.
  • The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reports that 321,179 dengue cases were reported last year, the highest on record, with most cases occurring between May and December.
  • This year, over 1,000 cases were reported as early as January, which was unprecedented, with 14 deaths in January, three in February, and five in March.
  • Analysis reveals that cases began rising in July last year, with 43,854 patients admitted in July 2023, followed by 71,976 in August and 21,527 in September.
  • Record hospital admissions have been reported in recent days, with 615 new dengue patients admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
  • The Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room of the DGHS notes that this was the first time this year that so many patients were admitted in a single day.
  • The highest number of dengue cases outside Dhaka has been reported in Chittagong division, with 45 patients admitted to hospitals in the Chittagong City Corporation area and 4,300 patients admitted outside the city.
  • Public health expert Dr. Mushtuq Husain emphasizes the need for regular neighbourhood clean-up drives, involving local ward councillors or representatives, to control mosquito populations.
  • Dr. Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University's zoology department calls for preemptive measures to control dengue, warning that cases will continue to rise in the coming days.

Statistics:

  • 97 people have died from dengue so far this year, compared to 716 people who died by September 9 last year.
  • 16,285 patients have been admitted to hospitals this year, compared to 145,335 infected with dengue by the same date last year.
  • 321,179 dengue cases were reported last year, the highest on record.
  • 43,854 patients were admitted in July 2023, followed by 71,976 in August and 21,527 in September.
  • 615 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
  • 14 deaths from dengue occurred in January this year, compared to six deaths in January last year.

Sources:

  • Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
  • Newspaper articles (no specific publication mentioned)

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