Already proved the worst month given the ongoing dengue menace in the country, July saw the 2,00th death from the mosquito-borne illness on Sunday while witnessing a sevenfold surge in cases in a month.
The death toll hit the grim 200 mark as another eight patients died in the last 24 hours till 8am on Sunday, raising the number of fatalities to 247 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24 hours, 2,731 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the new patients, 1,184 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it.
A total of 9,418 dengue patients, including 5,147 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 49,138 dengue cases and 39,473 recoveries this year.
The country logged the 50th death on July 1, followed by the 100th fatality that occurred on July 15, from when the daily death tally escalated.
Dhaka TribuneThe 150th and 200th fatalities were reported on July 20 and 25 respectively, meaning it took exactly five days for the grim feats to be recorded.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019.
Dhaka city accounts for most of the deaths and cases.
Sevenfold rise in cases
There were 5,956 dengue patients in June and after Sunday's count, the number of dengue cases now stands at 41,160 this month.
It translates into an almost sevenfold increase compared to the caseload recorded last month.
Director (MIS) of DGHS Prof Dr Md Shahadat Hossain, said: "The number of patients has increased more than seven times this month compared to last month. Of the total patients, 64% are men and 36% are women. In addition, middle-aged people are the most affected.”
"An analysis of data from Dhaka and outside the capital shows that the number of children being infected in Dhaka is high,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said it will be possible to control the dengue outbreak if councillors are in the field with officials concerned.
Experts have already warned that the dengue situation may turn rather worse in August and September, asking the authorities concerned to intensify anti-mosquito drives.
However, despite the worsening dengue crisis and calls from experts and medics, the government looks reluctant to declare a public health emergency.
