The dengue prevalence in Bangladesh has taken a more alarming turn. In the past 24 hours, five people have died due to the mosquito-borne disease, bringing the total number of fatalities this year to 323.

According to a statement from the Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday, 1,139 people were admitted to hospitals with dengue between 8am on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday. 

This brings the total number of hospitalised dengue patients this year to 81,773.

Of the new admissions, 397 were from the two city corporations in Dhaka. Outside Dhaka, 223 patients were from Dhaka Division, 115 from Chattogram Division, 179 from Barishal Division, 89 from Khulna Division, 82 from Mymensingh Division, 46 from Rajshahi Division, six from Rangpur Division, and three from Sylhet Division.

While dengue cases were relatively low at the beginning of the year, the numbers have risen sharply in recent months. Monthly hospital admissions from January to November are as follows: January – 1,161; February – 374; March – 336; April – 701; May – 1,773; June – 5,951; July – 10,684; August – 10,496; September – 15,866; October – 22,520; and so far in November – 11,911.

Health experts have stressed the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures, including keeping homes and surroundings clean, eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, and taking personal precautions to avoid bites.

The rising number of hospital admissions and fatalities, particularly in the Dhaka city corporations and other major cities, has placed a significant strain on the healthcare system.

Experts emphasise that immediate, coordinated action is essential to control the outbreak, alongside intensified public awareness campaigns.