More than half of the patients who died from dengue fever in Bangladesh this year succumbed within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital. A total of 179 deaths have been recorded so far, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The DGHS revealed the figures at a press conference held on Monday at its headquarters in Dhaka. Officials said the analysis showed that many patients arrived at hospitals in critical condition, leaving doctors with little time to administer life-saving treatment.
The DGHS Director General urged the public to seek medical attention immediately after developing dengue symptoms. “Delays in hospital admission are increasing the risk of death. Early consultation with doctors and timely hospitalization can help reduce fatalities,” he said.
Officials also noted that September typically sees the highest number of dengue cases and deaths. Last year’s data showed eight deaths in June, 14 in July, 30 in August and 87 in September. Infections also peaked in September with 1,897 hospitalizations, compared to 798 in June, 2,669 in July and 6,521 in August.
The DGHS emphasized that public awareness and active participation are critical to tackling dengue outbreaks. “No matter how many measures are taken, it is very difficult to prevent infectious diseases like dengue without public awareness,” an official said, urging journalists to continue raising awareness.
The DGHS confirmed that NS1 antigen test kits are available nationwide and adequately stocked. It also acknowledged confusion over reported death figures last week, explaining that some fatalities occurred on Thursday but were recorded on Friday due to the public holiday.
Health officials reiterated that early diagnosis and prompt treatment significantly reduce the risk of death from dengue.
