The death toll from dengue fever in Bangladesh crossed the grim milestone of 1,000 with 17 more lives claimed by the deadly virus in the 24 hours till Sunday morning.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the current death toll stands at 1,006.
During the same period, 2,882 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country.
DGHS data revealed that 629 of the new dengue patients sought treatment in Dhaka city, while a concerning 2,253 individuals were admitted to various hospitals outside the capital.
With these new cases, the total number of dengue patients has now surged to a daunting 206,288.
However, 195,925 patients have successfully recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
The data also disclosed that 9,357 dengue patients are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals. Among them, 3,120 are being cared for in Dhaka, while a substantial 6,237 patients are fighting the disease outside the capital city.
In response to the escalating crisis, an inter-ministerial meeting was convened at the Local Government Division on Sunday, seeking solutions to contain the outbreak.
Addressing the gathering, Muhammad Ibrahim, secretary of the Local Government Division, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge.
He said: "Eradicating Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of dengue, is an uphill battle that cannot be won by city corporations or any single government entity alone. Collective engagement is the key to raising awareness among citizens, and collaborative cleanliness drives hold the promise of reducing dengue outbreaks."
LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam said: "For those who have previously contracted dengue and are experiencing a recurrence, immediate hospitalization and proper treatment are paramount for recovery."
The minister vowed that negligence in addressing the crisis would not be tolerated, and significant financial resources are being allocated to effectively implement measures aimed at reducing dengue cases under City Corporations.
Despite the government's efforts, public health experts are expressing deep concern over the virulence of the current dengue variant, which has led to a surge in infections and fatalities.
Dr Mushtaq Hossain, advisor to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR), shed light on the situation, saying that authorities have been too short-sighted in their approach, treating the dengue outbreak as a temporary issue. He strongly advocated for community engagement as a vital strategy to curb the dengue outbreak, emphasizing the need for long-term measures to tackle this relentless health crisis.
