The threat of dengue fever is escalating daily, with the mosquito-borne disease claiming eight lives on Sunday-the highest daily death toll recorded this year.
Among the deceased, five were residents of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), while one each came from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Khulna, and Barishal.
This brings the total death toll to 158.
Saturday had already marked a concerning peak in daily fatalities, indicating a troubling trend as the disease continues to spread.
On Sunday alone, at least 1,221 dengue patients were hospitalized nationwide-the highest single-day admission rate since January 1, and an increase of 361 from the previous day. In terms of regional distribution, 267 dengue patients were admitted in Dhaka Division, with 228 in DSCC and 206 in DNCC.
Other regions reported the following hospitalisations: 183 in Chattogram, 134 in Khulna, 74 in Barishal, 53 in Rajshahi, 48 in Mymensingh, and 28 in Rangpur.
However, 1,090 patients were discharged from hospitals on the same day.
Dengue cases have surged dramatically since June, and the increasing numbers indicate an urgent need for the government to implement stronger preventive measures.
September is proving to be particularly grim in the context of dengue, accounting for approximately 47.46 per cent of total deaths and 56.88 per cent of total cases reported this month.
In September alone, at least 75 individuals have succumbed to dengue. The death toll in previous months was recorded at 8, 12, and 27 for June, July, and August, respectively.
From January to August, at least 12,841 people were affected by the disease, with September alone seeing a staggering 16,945 cases.
The numbers for individual months reveal a sharp rise: 798 cases in June, 2,669 in July, and 6,521 in August.
Currently, Dhaka is the epicenter of this outbreak, with 72.15 per cent of total deaths occurring in the capital. A total of 114 people have died in Dhaka, including 87 in DSCC, 21 in DNCC, and six in other areas of Dhaka Division.
Dhaka accounts for 56.22 per cent of total dengue cases, with 16,748 residents affected-6,947 in DSCC, 5,821 in DNCC, and 3,980 in other parts of the city.
Outside Dhaka, Chattogram has reported the highest fatalities, with 20 deaths and 6,385 dengue cases.
Among the total of 29,786 dengue patients, 15,452 fall within the age group of 16 to 35 years.
Notably, 62.9 per cent of all dengue patients are male, while 51.3 per cent of those who have died are female.
