An alarming surge in dengue cases has resulted in the tragic deaths of children in the country.
An 11-year-old named Srabanti succumbed to dengue on July 4 after suffering from a fever for just six days. Tragically, his older brother, Shouvik, is also receiving treatment for dengue. Mother Bitu Sarkar is devastated by the loss of her child under such circumstances.
Similarly, Ilma Jahan, a class XI student at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital, passed away from dengue on July 3. Ahnaf Rafan, 8, breathed his last at Universal Hospital on July 6.
As of Sunday, the Directorate of General Health Services (DGHS) reported 73 deaths and 12,954 dengue cases this year. The outbreak marks the earliest and most severe incidence of dengue the country has ever witnessed in July.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque has confirmed that dengue has spread across all districts of the country.
Dhaka faces the highest risk of dengue, as evidenced by the increasing number of hospital patients seeking treatment. In the 24 hours until yesterday, the country saw 836 hospitalisations, with 516 in Dhaka.
This reporter spoke to several patients receiving treatment at Mugda Hospital.
Among them is Sabbir, a six-year-old with an IV cannulation in his hand. Sabbir's mother sits beside him with their one-month-old daughter. Sabbir was brought to the hospital on July 1 when he developed a high fever. After an examination, the doctors diagnosed him with dengue.
Sabbir said: "I don't have any appetite or desire to eat or drink. The fever has made everything unpleasant."
Marjina, a maternity patient from Mymensingh, has been in Dhaka for over a month to receive delivery services. She gave birth to a healthy girl, but her son developed a fever just as they were preparing to return home.
Marjina finds herself in a difficult situation, juggling the care of her dengue-stricken son and her newborn baby.
Another mother, Ayesha Akhter, shared: "My son is only one month old. Due to his high fever, we had him tested for dengue, and he was subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment. It's heartbreaking to see such a young baby suffering."
Asked about taking precautions to avoid mosquitoes at home, Ayesha responded: "We do use mosquito nets, but during hot weather, it becomes challenging. Our house has many mosquitoes."
Asma Ahmed, another mother, brought her daughter, who is affected by dengue, from Gopibag. Asma said: "The house next to ours indiscriminately disposes of dirty water, which accumulates. Despite our requests, they neglect to clean it. As a result, many people in our area have contracted dengue."
Dr Nasif Anwar, from the dengue ward at Mugda Medical College and Hospital, said that the dengue cases are at their peak in the rainy season.
"The situation is gradually worsening, with new patients being admitted every hour. Although the number of deaths is insignificant, any loss of life is deeply regrettable to us."
Dr Nasif added that the main symptom of dengue these days is a sudden drop in blood pressure, along with bleeding from the gums or in the urine. Fever is also present.
He advised seeking immediate medical attention if these symptoms manifested. "The biggest challenge is that children often struggle to communicate their problems. Thus, special attention must be given to them. Additionally, they should be given regular food during dengue. It is crucial not to neglect mosquito netting, especially during hot weather. Moreover, maintaining cleanliness in the house and its surroundings is essential."
Dr Anwara Khatun, a paediatrician at Digital Hospital, said: "The current dengue situation is dire, especially among children. Dengue causes a significant drop in platelet count, which can be extremely dangerous. Children typically have between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets in their bodies. Falling below that range poses serious risks."
Dengue increases the likelihood of bleeding from various body parts, for which platelets from fresh frozen plasma are often necessary. However, this treatment can be quite expensive, she said, adding that a decrease in blood density due to plasma leakage is the primary cause of death in children with dengue.
She explained that the second bout of dengue is more severe than the first, often resulting in dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which is highly critical.
Children with dengue may not recover through home care alone. Therefore, she strongly advised that if a child does not improve at home and exhibits bleeding spots on their body, they should be taken to the hospital immediately.
Dr Anwara emphasised that prevention is always better than cure. "Keeping the house's surroundings clean is crucial to prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding. Mosquito nets should be used daily, and constant awareness is necessary," she added.