The death toll from dengue this year has crossed the 800-mark as another 14 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours till 8:00am today.

At least 2,598 dengue patients were hospitalised in the 24-hour period, according to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Dengue has so far claimed at least 804 lives this year and nearly 164,562 were infected, making this the deadliest year since the first recorded epidemic in 2000.

According to DGHS data, 10,330 dengue patients were undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country.

Hospitals, especially in Dhaka, are struggling to accommodate the large number of patients suffering high fever, joint pain, and vomiting, health officials said.

The government has taken initiatives to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, they added.

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, the carrier of the deadly virus, thrives in stagnant water.