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Usually the country sees dengue infection from April to September while it becomes more infectious during July-to-September period and infection rate begins to decline in October much to the relief of city people.
But dengue has turned more lethal in October this year with its altered life span prompting the health authorities to take further measures.
According to DGHS, some 9,911 people were infected in September this year while the first 16 days of the month saw a whopping 9,946 patients.
Some 34 people died from the disease in September while 41 people have already died this month.
It is to mention that in the last 20 years the country has recorded the highest number of patients in 2019 that saw 8,143 patients infected with dengue in October and only 11 patients died in that month.
In October 2020, only 162 people were infected while three of them died. In 2021, there were 5,467 patients recorded in October while 22 people died.
The increasing number of patients is compelling the health authorities to expand their services beyond the five hospitals dedicated to treat the patients.
According to data from the DGHS, at present some 2,015 patients are receiving treatment in 51 government (1,175) and private hospitals (840) in the capital. And some 3,004 patients are receiving treatment across the country.
The DGHS said dengue had spread in 51 districts of the country.
At present Mitfort Hospital, Kamalapur Railway Hospital, Amin Bazar 20-Bed Hospital, Lalkuthi Maternity Hospital and Kamrangirchar 31-Bed Hospital are providing treatment as dengue dedicated hospitals.
However, DGHS data showed that the highest number of patients is receiving treatment at Mugda Medical College Hospital (2,138), Dhaka Medical College Hospital (1,516) along with some other tertiary level government hospitals including Dhaka Shishu Hospitals, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital and Kurrmitola General Hospital.
Additional Director General (ADG) of DGHS Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir said all the agencies responsible for dengue control have to work together to bring the situation under control.
“If we can’t bring the situation under control right now the hospitals would not be able to provide treatment to the growing number of patients,” he warned.
If needed the health authorities would open dedicated dengue cells in other government hospitals as well, he assured.
Prof Dr Shakil Ahmed, Director (Mycobacterial Disease Control) of DGHS, on Thursday said due to climate change survival instinct of dengue has increased changing the disease diagram.
Secretary of Health Services Division under Health Ministry Dr Muhammad Anowar Hossain Howlader sat at a meeting on prevention and control of Aedes mosquito-borne dengue at DGHS on Monday morning where he urged the health authorities to conduct more awareness programme to inform mass people and have them in the controlling process.
He said all measures would go in vain if people do not get involved. All have to keep their houses and surroundings clean.
About treatment at hospitals he said the increasing number of patients is mounting pressure on hospitals.
All the hospitals have been instructed to open dedicated dengue treatment unit. They have been ordered to ensure necessary fluid for patients, he said.
