Dengue claimed seven more lives on Monday and Tuesday as Bangladesh continues to struggle in its fight against the mosquito-borne viral disease.
The deaths were reported from Dhaka, Rangpur, Chandpur, Dinajpur and Manikganj.
A total of 2,348 people were infected with dengue in 24 hours until Tuesday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of them, 1,284 cases were reported from the capital. Five of them were suffering from dengue hemorrhagic while another from dengue shock syndrome.
Since the beginning of this year, 29,912 people were hospitalised across the country with dengue, according to government data.
At least 7,968 patients, including children, are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals while the rest were discharged after treatment. In Dhaka, 5,182 dengue patients are currently hospitalised.
Since January, 23 dengue patients died, all in the capital, the DGHS said, although the unofficial estimates suggest the death toll is much higher.
In the capital, a female Bangladeshi expatriate died at Anwer Khan Modern Hospital on Monday night, said its Director Jasimuddin Khan.
Hafsa Lipi, 34, wife of Sarder Abdul Sattar Tarun, was taken to the hospital on Friday morning after her condition deteriorated. She died while undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit.
Tarun’s elder sister Dr Nurunnahar said the couple along with their two children returned home from Italy about 10 days ago and were staying at a house in Kalabagan.
Shortly after their arrival, Tarun was infected with dengue. Hafsa was diagnosed with dengue on July 28 but she stayed at home instead of being hospitalised, Nurunnahar said.
Besides, Monowara Begum, 75, of Hajiganj Upazila of Chandpur district died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 8am after being diagnosed with dengue, said Sub-Inspector Abdul Khan, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost.
Habibur Rahman, 21, from Faridpur’s Bhanga Upazila, died around 2:15pm while undergoing treatment DMCH ICU.
Anwar Hossain, his maternal uncle, said he was hospitalised with fever on Wednesday and shifted to ICU on Saturday.
UNB Chandpur Correspondent reports: Madina Akter, 7, a kindergarten student, and daughter of Mizanur Rahman Dhali of Matlab North upazila, died of dengue at Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital Ltd in the capital around on Monday midnight.
She was diagnosed with dengue and admitted to the hospital on August 3. She was later shifted to ICU.
In Rangpur, a minor girl succumbed to the mosquito-borne fever at Rangpur Medical College Hospital in the morning.
The deceased was identified as Riyana, 3, daughter of Ashraful Islam hailing from Gaibandha’s Palashbari Upazila.
Dr Saifuzzaman, spokesperson of the hospital, said the child was admitted on August 3 with dengue and passed away around 8am.
This recently taken photo shows one of the patients at Kustia Sadar Hospital for treatment. Photo: UNB
She was diagnosed with dengue after returning from Dhaka recently, he added.
In Dinajpur, a teenage boy lost his battle to dengue at M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital in the early hours on Tuesday.
Rabiul Islam, 17, son of Noyan Islam of Nekmarad village in Ranishankail Upazila of Thakurgaon, died around 5:30am, said the hospital’s Director Dr Khairul Kabir. The teenager was hospitalised on July 30.
In Manikganj, Raju Khan, 40, of Chala village of Harirampur upazila died while undergoing treatment at Munnu Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.
Hospital director Dr Mahbubul Hasan said Raju was admitted on August 3.
As many as 111 patients are currently being treated at various hospitals in the district.
Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford Hospital) has been overwhelmed by dengue patients from Demra, Hazaribagh, Keraniganj, Nababganj, Dohar and Sirajdikhan and other areas.
People were struggling to get serials for taking dengue tests.
The dengue outbreak took a severe turn in the Old part of the capital last month, infecting more people every day. So far, seven people died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Mitford’s Deputy Director Dr Nirmal Kumar Sen said three new chambers – child ward, women ward and men ward – were set up when the number of patients rose in early July. This year, 1,587 dengue patients have received treatment from the hospital.
In Sylhet, 14 people were admitted to MAG Osmani Medical College in the last 24 hours until 8am. Currently, 45 dengue patients are being treated at the hospital, said Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Nur e Alam Shamim.
In Satkhira, 16 more people were hospitalised with dengue and currently, 36 people are taking treatment at different hospitals, said local health department sources.
In Pirojpur, control room of health department said that 13 people were newly infected with the disease. So far, 42 cases were reported. Seven of them have recovered.
In Faridpur, 63 more people were admitted to hospitals during past 24 hours, raising the number of dengue patients to 198 in the district.
Civil Surgeon Enamul Haque said 323 patients were hospitalised since July 20.
