Bangladesh continues to face a serious dengue outbreak, with four more deaths and 1,181 new hospital admissions recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period. The latest figures bring the country’s dengue death toll to 335 this year, while the cumulative number of patients admitted to hospitals has risen to 108,440.
The figures were released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in its regular dengue bulletin on Friday, 16 October.
According to the bulletin, 90 people died from dengue during the first 15 days of October alone. September recorded the highest monthly death toll so far this year, with 148 fatalities. The figures highlight the continuing public health challenge posed by the mosquito-borne disease as the country moves further into the latter part of the year.
The monthly breakdown shows that 43 people died from dengue in August, 36 in July and 13 in June. One death was recorded in May, while January and February each saw two fatalities. The number of deaths rose sharply in the following months, reaching its highest level in September before another 90 people died during the first half of October.
The latest hospital admission figures also underline the scale of the outbreak. A total of 1,181 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country during the 24-hour period covered by the bulletin. This brought the cumulative number of hospital admissions since the beginning of the year to 108,440.
There was also a substantial number of recoveries. According to the DGHS, 1,179 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals during the same period. The total number of patients who have recovered and returned home this year has reached 102,210.
Although the number of recoveries remains significant, the continued arrival of new patients places pressure on healthcare facilities, particularly where large numbers of people require assessment, monitoring and treatment at the same time. Dengue can cause a range of symptoms, from fever and body aches to severe complications that require urgent medical attention.
Public health precautions remain essential to controlling the spread of the disease. Dengue is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, which can breed in stagnant water collected in flowerpots, buckets, discarded containers, old tyres and other household items. Regularly removing standing water and keeping water-storage containers clean and covered can help reduce potential breeding sites.
People should also take steps to avoid mosquito bites, including using appropriate repellents, wearing clothing that covers the skin and taking precautions inside and around their homes. Community-wide efforts to maintain clean surroundings and eliminate mosquito breeding sites are equally important.
Anyone experiencing fever should seek medical advice rather than relying solely on self-medication. Warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, unusual drowsiness, breathing difficulties or reduced urination require prompt medical assessment, as they may indicate a more serious illness.
With 335 deaths and more than 108,000 hospital admissions recorded so far this year, the latest figures underline the need for continued surveillance, effective mosquito control and public awareness. Sustained cooperation between health authorities, local communities and households will be essential to reducing infections and preventing further loss of life.
