11 dead, more than 5,000 hospitalised over Eid vacation

At least 11 people died of dengue fever over the last four days in Dhaka, Cumilla, Pabna, Laxmipur, Mymensingh, Lalmonirhat, Faridpur and Khulna -- taking the unofficial death toll to 90.

However, the government has so far confirmed 40 deaths from dengue.

A total of 1,800 new patients -- including 755 in Dhaka city --  infected with the mosquito-borne disease were admitted to different hospitals across the country in 24 hours, till 8am yesterday, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In the latest tally, total number of dengue patients are 46,351 -- of whom 7,869 are currently admitted in hospitals across the country.

In the last three days, some 5,173 were admitted to hospitals across the country -- of whom 2,977 were in Dhaka and 2,196 were elsewhere, according to DGHS.

Though the number of patients slightly decreased in the last couple of days, experts fear that dengue cases might see a rise with holidaymakers returning home from outside Dhaka after the Eid vacation, if necessary measures are not taken.

“Mosquito spray must be used inside homes upon return from vacation, and commodes must be flushed as well,” said entomologist Professor Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University.

He said people should also check in and outside their homes to make sure there is no stagnant water.

“People are now aware and know about it [dengue prevention], but unfortunately many are still not following the directives properly, which is why it’s tough to control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.

DGHS also advised people returning home to spray mosquito repellent before settling in.

An adult person should first enter the house and spray insecticides under tables, beds, behind furniture and stay outside for 30 minutes. Going back in, all windows should be opened, water taps should be run and toilets should be flushed, DGHS said.

If mosquito spray is not available, one should perform the other above-mentioned instructions and then let others enter the house, the DGHS directive added.

Eleven deaths

A college student died of dengue at Pabna Medical College Hospital last night, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Mosabbir Hossain Mahfuz, 20, was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of dengue on Tuesday morning and passed away in the hospital, said Assistant Director of Pabna Medical College Hospital Dr Ranjan Kumar Dutta.

In Dhaka, an eight-year-old girl died of dengue at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday, said Prof Dr Uttam Kumar Barua, director of the hospital.

The deceased, Samia, was admitted to the hospital on August 10 and passed away around 6am, the director said.

Another patient Md Billal, 40, died around 4am yesterday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was undergoing treatment for dengue, according to hospital sources.

Two persons from Cumilla, including a primary school teacher, died of dengue over the last few days.

Fatema Akter Sonia, 26, had been working as an assistant teacher at Homna Model Govt Primary School for the last couple of years. Md Abdus Sattar, former head teacher of the school, said, “Fatema was diagnosed with dengue last Wednesday, and was admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka on Thursday.” She passed away on Sunday morning.

The other deceased, Mainuddin, 24, of Dhandoul under Brahmanpara upazila, died at a Dhaka hospital at 10pm on Saturday after suffering from dengue for five days. Mainuddin had been studying Political Science at Chandina Redwan Ahmed Degree college.

Meanwhile, a college student died of dengue at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) around 11am yesterday.

The victim was identified as Forhad Hossain, 20 -- a student of Itna Degree College in Kishoreganj, said Dr AB Md Shamsuzzaman, assistant director of MMCH.

Forhad, from Borobari village in Itna, was admitted at the hospital on Saturday night, after he was referred to MMCH from Kishoreganj General Hospital.

Monirul Islam, 35, a fabric trader from Kalmati village of Sadar upazila under Lalmonirhat, died of dengue fever  on August 11. He died in Rangpur Medical College Hospital, confirmed family members.

In Faridpur, Tanzid Mollah, 9, died of dengue fever in Faridpur Medical College Hospital around 11am on Tuesday.

Rina Begum, the victim’s aunt said, “Tanzid was admitted to the hospital on August 11 where he was diagnosed with dengue.”

Amir Hossain, 60, a resident of Dattapara in Laxmipur district, died of dengue on Sunday at Noakhali General Hospital.

Also In Laxmipur, four-year-old Parash, son of Kamruzzaman of Daspara area in Kamalnagar upazila, died of dengue on Monday night while he was being taken to Noakhali General Hospital, reports UNB.

Parash’s uncle Md Ibrahim said his nephew was diagnosed with dengue at Fair Diagnostic Pathology Centre in Laxmipur town on Saturday morning.

In Khulna, a man died of dengue at Khulna Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.

The deceased was identified as Rasel, 32, a resident of Gopalganj.

Md Abdur Razzaque Sheikh, assistant civil surgeon of Khulna Medical College Hospital, said Rasel was hospitalised with dengue two days ago.

DNCC fines homeowner

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) yesterday fined a homeowner in Gulshan-2 Tk 1 lakh upon finding Aedes larvae and breeding source at the rooftop of the house.

A mobile court team also imposed seven days’ imprisonment on the building’s caretaker Awlad Hossain.

The mobile court team, led by Executive Magistrate Sazid Anowar of DNCC, found Aedes larvae and breeding sources in the building, said an official of DNCC.

Our correspondents from Cumilla, Pabna, Laxmipur, Mymensingh, Lalmonirhat, Faridpur, Pirojpur, Nilphamari, Chapainawabganj, Bagerhat, Chattogram and Khulna also contributed to this report.