July Dengue Surge Fills Mymensingh Hospital as Six Zones Flagged

Mymensingh Medical College Hospital has recorded a sharp rise in dengue admissions this month, with 220 patients admitted during the first 22 days of July alone. The figure accounts for nearly two-thirds of the 346 dengue patients treated at the hospital since the beginning of the year, highlighting a rapid escalation in infections as the peak dengue season gets under way.

Hospital records show that 126 patients were admitted between January and June, while the remaining 220 were admitted during the first three weeks of July. A significant proportion of those affected are residents of the Mymensingh City Corporation area, although the medical college hospital also receives patients from across the district and neighbouring areas.

Five dengue patients have died at the hospital this year. One death was recorded in February, three in June and another in July, according to hospital sources.

Health officials say dengue cases typically begin to rise from July and remain elevated through November. The experience of the previous year illustrates the scale of the seasonal increase. Between January and July 2025, the hospital recorded 176 dengue patients and one death. From August to December, however, the number of patients rose sharply to 2,227, with 28 deaths reported during that period.

The latest hospital figures indicate that the current surge is already putting pressure on available facilities. As of 7am on Wednesday, 39 dengue patients were receiving treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Ten new patients had been admitted in the preceding 24 hours, while 11 were discharged after treatment.

Six city wards declared ‘special zones’

Against the backdrop of rising infections, the Mymensingh City Corporation has identified six wards as ‘special zones’ because of their higher risk of dengue transmission. The designated wards are 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

According to city corporation figures, only four dengue cases were recorded in the city between January and May. The number increased to eight in June and then surged to 58 by 21 July. The city has recorded 70 cases in total this year, including one death.

City Corporation Administrator Md Rukunuzzaman Rokon said special measures were being taken in the designated areas, drawing on lessons from last year’s experience. Mosquito-control operations are being carried out twice a day in the special zones, alongside fogging and spraying. Leaflets are also being distributed from house to house to encourage residents to keep their homes and surrounding areas clean.

The situation on the ground, however, remains a concern for some residents. In Nawmahal, one of the areas identified as a higher-risk zone, rubbish was seen blocking drains. Local residents also complained of a persistent mosquito nuisance.

A resident, Md Billal, said the growing number of dengue cases had increased anxiety in the neighbourhood, particularly at night. Another resident, Sufia Khatun, said mosquitoes remained a serious problem despite the city corporation’s insect-control efforts.

The complaints underline a wider challenge in dengue prevention. Fogging and insecticide spraying can help reduce adult mosquitoes, but stagnant water and blocked drains can create conditions for mosquito breeding. Public health officials routinely stress the importance of removing standing water from homes and surrounding areas as part of dengue prevention.

Patient numbers exceed capacity at dedicated ward

Mymensingh Medical College Hospital treats dengue patients throughout the year in its medicine and other relevant wards. As the number of cases began to rise, a separate dengue ward was opened on 2 July.

The ward has 20 beds, but by Wednesday morning it was accommodating 39 patients. Some patients were reportedly receiving treatment on the floor because there was not enough space on the available beds.

According to information provided by nurses on duty, 242 patients had been admitted to the dedicated ward between 2 July and Wednesday afternoon. Of them, 103 were from Mymensingh district. Around 56 per cent of the patients were residents of the city corporation area, with particularly high numbers coming from Nawmahal, Akua Madrasa Quarters and Boundary Road.

The recent experiences of patients also illustrate how quickly dengue can develop. Schoolteacher Abdul Awal developed a fever after visiting relatives in the Akua Madrasa Quarters area. Initially assuming it was an ordinary fever, he later lost consciousness. Medical tests confirmed dengue, while his platelet count fell to 68,000.

Another patient, 20-year-old Rakib Hossain from Santoshpur village in Phulpur, fell ill after travelling to Konabari in Gazipur in search of work. His condition did not improve despite treatment, prompting his admission to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. His platelet count subsequently dropped, and he required four bags of blood, according to his account.

Md Mainuddin Khan, assistant director (administration) of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said the hospital had observed a higher incidence of dengue during the current season. A separate isolation ward had already been opened to manage the increasing number of patients, while arrangements for medicines and diagnostic tests were in place.

Dengue cases reported at upazila health complexes

Dengue infections are not confined to the medical college hospital. According to the district civil surgeon’s office, 35 patients had received treatment at health complexes across Mymensingh’s 12 upazilas as of 22 July. Five of them were still admitted at the time of the latest update.

The civil surgeon’s office also reported that 236 patients had received treatment at the medical college hospital, with one death recorded among them. However, the office does not maintain a detailed breakdown of cases by individual upazila.

Civil Surgeon Faisal Ahmed said the health authorities had completed preparations to deal with the dengue situation. Newly appointed doctors had been given specialised training in dengue management, while cleanliness drives and public awareness activities were also under way.

Officials said the high number of dengue patients at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital partly reflects its role as a major referral facility. The hospital receives patients not only from Mymensingh district but also from neighbouring districts, making its overall caseload higher than the number of infections recorded within the city itself.

With dengue cases rising rapidly in July and the traditionally high-risk months still ahead, health authorities face the dual challenge of managing hospital admissions and reducing mosquito breeding sites in communities. For residents, the focus remains on eliminating stagnant water, keeping drains clear and seeking medical attention promptly when persistent fever or other warning symptoms appear.