An increasing number of new patients suffering from the mosquito-born Dengue fever, which can be fatal and have already killed over 10 people, are reporting to different hospitals of capital Dhaka, hospital sources said indicating that the situation is taking an alarming turn and could leave more people dead.

According to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total 5,546 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals across the country, including the capital, from January 1 to July 18 with only five deaths.

On July 18, a total 201 people were admitted to various hospitals with dengue. Currently, 1,207 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the city, besides many other with minor dengue fever are being treated in their homes.

In the data analysis it is found that in July on average 130 people have been admitted to the hospital due to dengue. In one day, the highest number of 273 people have been admitted till now.

On Thursday (July 18), Mitford Hospital treated dengue 19 patients, 20 in Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital, 26 in Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital, 12 in Shishu Hospital, 4 in Birdem Hospital, and 115 in various private hospitals in the hospital.

Dengue is a seasonal fever that is carried by the Aedes mosquito which becomes active during the monsoon season.

Director of the government Disease Control unit and also line director of Communicable Disease Control unit Prof. Dr. Sanya Tahmina Jhora said: a total of 5,551 dengue cases were reported in 2000. Of which 79 per cent of normal dengue fever and 21 per cent of dengue hemorrhagic fever and the death rate was 1.7 per cent.

She said to tackle the dengue situation around 1,500 people in 28 governments, private hospitals and two city corporations has been given special training in the management of Dengue and Chikungunya.

“Dengue identification kit has been given in different government hospitals. Dengue identification guidelines have been provided to all doctors” she added.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection which causes flu-like illness, and occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called “severe dengue.”

There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1 percent.

The WHO further said an estimated 500,000 people with severe dengue require treatment in hospitals worldwide each year, with an estimated case fatality rate of 2.5 percent.

Dengue mosquito, Aedes, breeds in clean water mostly in and around the houses. Household flower vase, buckets, tyre, and tubes where water remains stored are the perfect place for the breeding of the dengue mosquito.

The communicable diseases wing of the DGHS conducted a survey from March 3-12 this year.

It surveyed water samples collected from 998 houses at 100 places under 97 wards of two city corporations in Dhaka and found high level of larvae of Aedes mosquito in water collected from abandoned tyres, plastic drums, buckets, open tanks in under-construction buildings and flower tubs.

According to the survey, the density of mosquito larvae in water was high in wards 35, 1, 4, 19, 20, 16, 22, and 23 of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and wards 41, 12, 17, 4, 39, 6, 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 43, 47 and 48 of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

On July 14, The High Court asked the authorities concerned to take effective measures within 24 hours to destroy Aedes mosquito for preventing spread of dengue and Chikungunya.

The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi passed the suo moto order after taking the reports of dengu fever and Aedes mosquito published in different newspapers, into cognisance.

It also asked the two city corporations and other respondents to inform the court about the steps taken for controlling dengue and chikanguniya within July 22.

On July 15, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) today launched a healthcare service for the people affected by dengue and chikungunya in the city’s different areas. The service will continue till July 30.

The DSCC authorities also opened a hotline number — 09611000999 — for the residents of Dhaka south city to provide primary healthcare facility.

The authorities have formed 67 medical teams which will take part in 476 educational institutions as well as social and cultural institutions to provide the medical services in the DSCC areas.