Dengue deaths now 202

The deaths from dengue this year crossed 200 yesterday, the highest figure in a single year since the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in the country.

The number of total deaths was 202 as of yesterday morning.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), three more people died yesterday. At least 859 new patients were hospitalised, rising the figure to 48,529, of which 16,791 are outside Dhaka.

A total of 101,354 dengue cases, the annual highest, were recorded in 2019 when the death toll was 179.

In 2000, during dengue's first official outbreak, 93 died while 5,551 others were infected, says the DGHS.

Multiple exposures to dengue, late hospitalisation and late diagnosis of the disease are the main reasons for increasing number of dengue deaths, said experts.

Of this year's deaths, 119 are in Dhaka, 24 in Cox's Bazar, 25 in Chattogram, nine in Barishal, seven in Khulna, five in Mymensingh, two each in Rajshahi and Narail and one each in Narsingdi, Kushtia, Pabna, Khagrachhari, Bogura, Madaripur and Feni.