Dengue: 11 more die, 2,905 hospitalised in a day
At least 11 more people died of dengue in 24 hours till 8:00am today as the country grapples with a record outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease.
Of the 11 deaths, seven were reported from Dhaka city. In the meantime, at least 2,905 dengue patients were hospitalised, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. At least 398 people have died so far in 2023 and nearly 85,411 infected, making this the deadliest year since the first recorded epidemic in 2000.
According to DGHS data, a total of 9.733 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country.
A total of 75,280 dengue patients were released so far from hospitals across the country this year, it added.
Hospitals, especially in Dhaka, are struggling to find enough space for the large number of patients suffering high fever, joint pain, and vomiting, health officials said.
The government has launched initiatives to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, from awareness campaigns to efforts to kill mosquito larvae following a spell of rains, officials said.
There is no vaccine or drug that specifically treats dengue, which is common in South Asia during the June-to-September monsoon season when the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the deadly virus thrives in stagnant water.