Dengue outbreak: more than 10,000 infected outside Dhaka

The number of people infected with dengue has crossed 34,000 across the country, with 10,030 cases outside Dhaka.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 2,326 new patients were identified with the mosquito-borne disease in the last 24 hours. Among them, the number of infections is higher outside Dhaka.

In Dhaka, 1,158 have been infected whereas the number is 1,176 elsewhere.

Regarding the rate of infection, Dhaka is followed by Chattogram and Khulna divisions.

In the last 24 hours, 283 patients have been infected in other cities in Dhaka division, 227 in Chattogram, 179 in Khulna, 130 in Rajshahi, 178 in Barishal, 66 in Rangpur, 71 in Mymensingh and 33 in Sylhet.

Since Dhaka city residents have already started leaving Dhaka for Eid-ul-Adha, experts concerned feared the disease may spread to district level.

Dr ASM Alamgir, senior scientific officer at the disease control and research unit of ICDDRB, said there are Aedes aegyptus as well as Aedes albopictus mosquitoes outside Dhaka. If an Aedes albopictus bites a dengue patient, it can transmit the virus to others. This is how dengue is spread by the homebound people.

A survey conducted by the Rajshahi divisional health office has identified Aedes larvae in Rajshahi and Sirajganj.

Health Ministry acknowledges dengue increase

The DGHS has confirmed six more deaths due to dengue. According to the directorate, 29 have died so far from the disease.

Dr Ayesha Akhter, deputy inspector general of the emergency health service and control room at the DGHS, told The Business Standard that six more deaths have been confirmed by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research.

Though the health directorate reported the number of death as 29, unofficial sources claimed the number to be more than 90.

As per the government report, two died in April, three in June, 15 in July, and nine in August.

The Institute of Child and Mother Health (IMCH) in Matuail launched a dengue unit with 50 beds, the DGHS confirmed after a meeting on the dengue outbreak.

DGHS Director General Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad and disease control unit Director Dr Sania Tahmina were present at the meeting held at the DGHS.

Dr Azad said district hospitals, medical college and hospitals have been given directives via video conference on how to manage dengue outbreak during Eid vacation.

He also said NS1 kits have been sent to all sadar hospitals of 64 districts.

The Local Government Ministry has involved 16 lakh scout members to create awareness about dengue, which was initiated by the DGHS, he added.