Dhaka, Nov 18 (V7N) – Bangladesh recorded three additional dengue-related deaths in the 24 hours preceding 8 a.m. on Monday, raising the death toll to 61 in the first 17 days of November. According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 70 percent of those who died this month—43 individuals—received treatment in hospitals across Dhaka. During the same period, 16,142 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals nationwide, with 5,617 of them undergoing treatment in Dhaka.

The DGHS bulletin reported that among the latest fatalities, two were residents of Dhaka South City Corporation, while the third was from the Mymensingh division. In the past 24 hours, 1,007 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals, including 254 in Dhaka division—the highest among all regions. Dhaka North City Corporation reported 191 hospital admissions, Barishal 150, Dhaka South 142, Chattogram 135, Mymensingh 61, Rajshahi 41, Khulna 25, Rangpur five, and Sylhet three.

Since January 1, dengue has claimed 339 lives across the country. Dhaka South City Corporation has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 160, followed by Dhaka North with 58. Barishal division reported 44 deaths, Chattogram 25, Rajshahi 17, Mymensingh 16, Khulna 11, the greater Dhaka division seven, and Sylhet one.

October remains the deadliest month this year with 80 deaths, followed by September with 76 deaths. Earlier months recorded fewer fatalities: 10 in January, three in February, seven in April, three in May, 19 in June, 41 in July, and 39 in August.

Professor Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Zoology said the rise in infections and deaths reflects failures in mosquito control measures. He noted that gaps in preventive action, coupled with climate factors, contributed to the spike. Bashar expressed hope that case numbers will begin to decline in December.

Public health expert Be-Nazir Ahmed warned that the rising trend of dengue infections and deaths toward the end of the year marks a new public health challenge. He emphasized that traditional dengue-control strategies are no longer sufficient, urging authorities to adjust their response to match the shifting seasonal pattern of the disease.

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