Dengue outbreak deaths break records in Bangladesh

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - At least 110 people, including 28 children, died from dengue disease in the last seven months in Bangladesh, according to media reports Wednesday.

The figures have broken previous records that have been kept since since 2000, according to the Prothom Alo newspaper.

The death toll includes 44 women, 32 men and 28 children since January 2019.

The identities of 104 victims have been confirmed.

The previous number of deaths from the viral disease was 93 in 2000.

The report was compiled after data was collected from Dhaka hospitals, the office of the Directorate of Health, district civil surgeons and district hospitals.

About 2,428 patients have been infected with dengue in the last 24 hours which also broke previous daily infections, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the total infected Wednesday, 1,275 were from the capital, Dhaka. The number across Bangladesh reached a record 32,340.

Government data, however, showed the death toll Wednesday at 23.

Patients rushed to hospitals and authorities and doctors were busy trying to deal with the increasing number of dengue-affected cases.
The adult female Aedes mosquito population in Dhaka is now about 14 times higher than it was in the pre-monsoon period, said DGHS.

As the viral disease spreading uncontrollably, the government said Wednesday it has allocated $6,095,972.60, or 515 million Takas, to fight the disease.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon said Wednesday dengue would become more dangerous if people were not aware during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha later this week.

Authorities were taking all necessary efforts to contain the outbreak, he said.