Dengue cases have risen alarmingly across the Rajshahi region, with 1,874 patients receiving treatment at hospitals in the division last month. Of them, 1,339 were treated at hospitals in the eight districts, while 535 received treatment at three medical college hospitals. Two patients died during the period.
Chapainawabganj has recorded the highest number of cases among the eight districts, emerging as a dengue hotspot while Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) treated the highest number of patients among the three medical colleges.
According to the divisional health office, Chapainawabganj has recorded 643 cases in August, followed by Sirajganj with 363, Bogra 165, Natore 56, Pabna 42, Naogaon 41, Rajshahi 25 and Joypurhat four.
Among the medical colleges, RMCH treated 228 patients, including the two fatalities. Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra treated 88 patients, while Sirajganj Medical College Hospital treated 219.
At RMCH, the number of dengue patients under treatment rose from eight on August 1 to 50 on August 30. During the month, 221 new patients were admitted and 176 discharged. Admissions increased significantly in the second half of August, with 136 patients admitted between August 16 and 30, compared with 85 during the first half.
Hospital authorities said increasing numbers of patients have placed additional pressure on doctors and nurses. In some facilities, patients have been accommodated in corridors after wards became overcrowded.
RMCH spokesperson Dr Sheikh Shamim Ahmed said a 39-year-old man from Chapainawabganj died of dengue on August 30. Another patient died on August 11. By September 2, 19 new patients had been admitted in the previous 24 hours, while 14 were discharged, leaving 60 patients under treatment.
A recent survey in Rajshahi found Aedes larvae in 24 of 75 houses inspected. Of 68 water-holding containers examined, 46 contained larvae. The city’s Breteau Index stood at 61.33, well above the World Health Organization’s high-risk threshold of 20.
Health officials have urged intensified mosquito-control, sanitation, larvicide, fogging and public-awareness campaigns, particularly in Chapainawabganj and Sirajganj.