September and October have been identified as the most high-risk months for dengue in Khulna, as the mosquito-borne disease continues to spread across the district amid heavy rainfall.
Health authorities have placed 10 wards in Khulna city, along with Rupsa and Paikgachha upazilas, on the high-risk list.
According to the Khulna Civil Surgeon’s Office, 3,403 dengue patients have been hospitalised in the district since the monsoon began. Rupsa has reported the highest number of cases at 490, while Paikgachha has recorded 106 cases.
A 52-year-old dengue patient, Omar Faruk, died at Gazi Medical College Hospital in Khulna in the past 24 hours. A resident of Mongla upazila in Bagerhat, Faruk’s death is being reviewed in line with directives from the Health Ministry.
The district recorded 119 new dengue admissions during the same period.
Health experts attributed the worsening situation to inadequate scientific mosquito-control measures over the past 25 years. Men account for 62% of infections and women 38%, according to health officials.
On September 7, Health Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary Tania Moon issued 16 recommendations to the Khulna Civil Surgeon’s Office, urging authorities to give dengue prevention the highest priority during September and October.
The recommendations included reviewing dengue deaths, ensuring adequate medicines and medical supplies, and preventing patients from being charged excessive fees for diagnostic tests.
The divisional health directorate reported that 9,119 dengue patients had been hospitalised in Khulna division between January 1 and Monday. Thirty people have died, while 7,813 have been discharged. Another 1,041 patients are currently undergoing treatment.
Of the 302 new admissions recorded in the division in the past 24 hours, 246 were admitted to government hospitals and 56 to private facilities.
Khulna district currently has the highest number of hospitalized patients at 414, followed by Khulna Medical College Hospital with 211 and Bagerhat with 138.
