Daily hospital admissions come down under 300

The number of dengue patients admitted to different hospitals across the country came down under 300 yesterday, for the first time since July 24.

However, death due to dengue is still continuing. The latest death from dengue in Jhenidah, on Monday, raised the toll to over 150. The official figure, however, is 81.

A total of 267 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the last 24 hours, till 8am yesterday -- of whom 204 are outside Dhaka, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

A total of 1,316 dengue patients are now undergoing treatment at hospitals nationwide, of whom 868 are outside Dhaka,  according to DGHS.

Meanwhile, a dengue patient died at Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex in Jhenidah on Monday night.

Kamla Khatun, 42, wife of Rubel Hossain, was from Boro Shimla village under Kaliganj upazila.

Thana Health and Family Planning officer Dr Hossain Shafayet Haq told The Daily Star that Kamla Khatun was admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening with dengue fever.

She passed away around 7:30pm on Monday while undergoing treatment.

Three dengue patients died so far this year in the hospital while five are undergoing treatment.

SPELL OF RAIN RAISES DENGUE RISK

The spell of rain over last one week is increasing the risk of new dengue cases, experts warn.

They suggested continuing effective measures by all so that the number of dengue cases does not increase.

“This spell of rain can increase the number of Aedes mosquitoes if the authorities concerned as well as people from all walks of life do not continue their anti-mosquito efforts,” Prof Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist of Jahangirnagar University, told The Daily Star recently.

He said anti-Aedes drives from government and private level will have to continue at least till the end of October.

Rain expands the breeding sources of Aedes mosquitoes and all parties will have to remain alert to destroy the sources, he said.

Echoing Bashar, Kinkar Ghosh, an epidemiologist of Dhaka Shishu Hospital, said the current spell of rain will not cause a rise in the number of dengue patients if the authorities concerned are proactive and people are aware.