The death toll from dengue this year has crossed the 350-mark as another 12 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours till 8:00am today.

A total of 2,844 people were hospitalised during this time, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

So far, a record 352 people have died of the mosquito-borne disease in 2023. The total number of cases stand at 75,069.

Of the 12 deaths, seven were reported from Dhaka city.

According to DGHS figures, a total of 9,427 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. A total of 65,290 dengue patients were released so far from hospitals across the country this year, it added.

Hospitals, especially in the capital Dhaka, are struggling to find 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.

Experts said they fear more cases in August and September. This year's deaths already top the previous record of 281 from last year.

Early detection and access to proper medical care can reduce deaths to fewer than 1 percent of sufferers.