Bangladesh recorded seven more deaths from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning – the highest single-day casualties from the mosquito-borne disease this year.
The new casualties have raised the number of Dengue fatalities in Bangladesh to 83 this year.
During the period, 1,054 more patients – the highest single-day tally reported this year – were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
Of the new patients, 628 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, states DGHS.
A total of 3,303 dengue patients, including 2,306 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 14,897 dengue cases and 11,511 recoveries.
According to the DGHS tally, Bangladesh has recorded 70 out of 83 dengue casualties in the months of June and July.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
DGHS focuses on preventive measures
The DGHS has focused on preventive measures to contain the spread of dengue as the mosquito-borne tropical disease has increased sharply since late June.
"People have been asked not to be panicked about recent spike of dengue... People must be more careful about prevention measures to combat dengue outbreak," said the DGHS in a statement.
Dengue infection has increased alarmingly during the current rainy season as 889 dengue cases were reported yesterday, reports BSS.
The DGHS has advised keeping clean inside and outside the houses and destroying potential sources of breeding of Aedes mosquitoes for stopping the outbreak of the disease.
It also urged all to give attention to the following issues to combat the outbreak of dengue.
Suspected dengue cases showed some symptoms including 104 degrees body temperature, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in body muscles and joints, frequent vomiting, nasal gland swelling and body rash.
Suspected dengue patients with 104 degrees body temperature should visit doctors immediately, the DGHS statement read.
The DGHS also emphasised individual and community alertness to prevent the spread of the dengue disease.
According to the DGHS instruction, Aedes mosquito larvae will die if water accumulated in any container or place in the house and surroundings is cleaned for three consecutive days.
To remove mosquito eggs from used utensils, the utensils should be cleaned by rubbing it with bleaching powder.
Flower tubs, plastic pots, abandoned tires, plastic drums, clay pots, buckets, tin buckets, tin shells or coconut garlands, containers, mats, and battery cells should be kept clean as Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs on those.
Unused water containers must be destroyed or kept upside down to prevent water from accumulating, mosquito nets must be used during the day or when sleeping at day and night.
DSCC realises Tk 3.73 in fines from 16 entities
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has fined 16 establishments after finding Aedes mosquito larvae as part of its ongoing drive to destroy Aedes breeding grounds responsible for dengue outbreaks.
A total of Tk 3.73 lakh fine was collected in 16 cases during the drive conducted by nine mobile courts of DSCC.
The drives were conducted in Dhanmondi 15/A, Dewanbagh, Mayakanan, Nawabganj, Zindabahar First Lane, Bangshal, Abhay Das Lane, RK Mission Road, Manda, Uttar Jatrabari and Dakshin Dania areas under DSCC on Tuesday, reports UNB.
Executive Magistrate of Zone-1, SM Manjurul Haque inspected 42 houses and establishments in Dhanmondi 15/A area and found mosquito larvae in five establishments, including an under-construction building built by Anwar Landmark.
The mobile court fined Anwar Landmark project Tk 1 lakh in one case and four other establishments Tk 52,000 in four cases.
A total of 263 houses and establishments were inspected during today's drive.
Meanwhile, a special drive is being conducted in coordination with the health department and waste management department of DSCC in the educational institutions located in the area to identify and destroy Aedes larvae breeding grounds.
On Tuesday, the DSCC conducted the drive in 98 educational institutions.
The country has been experiencing a massive rise in Dengue cases in the past few days. Since January this year, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has recorded 13,843 dengue cases and 76 deaths across the country.
