Dhaka, July 31 (NationPress) In the last 24 hours, two additional fatalities have been linked to dengue, increasing the death toll from this mosquito-transmitted illness in Bangladesh for 2025 to 83. The recent casualties were reported from the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and the Chattogram Division, as per the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During this timeframe, an additional 278 individuals were admitted for viral fever, resulting in a total of 20,980 confirmed dengue cases for the year 2025.

In terms of regional cases, Barishal Division reported 72 cases, Dhaka Division (outside city corporations) had 46 cases, while Chattogram Division (outside city corporations) recorded 35 cases. The Dhaka South City Corporation confirmed 35 cases, with 28 cases in Dhaka North City Corporation, 35 cases in Rajshahi Division, 18 cases in Khulna Division, 5 cases in Rangpur Division, and 4 cases in Mymensingh Division, according to the United News of Bangladesh (UNB).

At present, 1,262 patients are receiving treatment for dengue in various healthcare facilities across Bangladesh. The previous year, 575 individuals succumbed to the disease, with a total of 101,214 dengue cases reported, and 100,040 recoveries documented in 2024.

Recently, health officials introduced new guidelines for hospitals, including the establishment of fever/flu corners in outpatient departments and the allocation of specialized beds for dengue patients. The DGHS has also issued separate instructions for managing Covid-19 patients, as cases of the virus saw a rise in June but are currently on a decline, as noted by Bangladesh's 'The Daily Star' on July 21.

The health authorities took these actions in response to a surge of three diseases - Covid-19, dengue, and chikungunya - in June. Health experts have cautioned that the simultaneous outbreaks could strain the healthcare system unless immediate and coordinated actions are implemented. Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, the director (hospital) of DGHS, stated that while Covid-19 cases are decreasing, dengue cases continue to rise.

The DGHS has laid out 16 directives for all public and private hospitals. These directives mandate that all hospitals set up flu/fever corners in outpatient departments. Patients diagnosed with dengue must be classified into groups A, B, and C based on the severity of their condition, with treatment protocols adhering to national guidelines.

Government hospitals are required to provide laboratory facilities for dengue testing and maintain an adequate supply of diagnostic kits. Given the severity of the illness, dengue patients should be admitted or referred to higher-level healthcare facilities when necessary. All hospitals must also have a designated medical team trained in the treatment of dengue patients.

Additionally, hospitals need to ensure the availability of necessary intravenous (IV) fluids for treating dengue. If necessary, arrangements for procurement should comply with regulations. Health providers must regularly monitor and document the fluid intake and output of patients. Hospitals are instructed to provide adequate mosquito nets for patients admitted with dengue.

The Dengue Death Review Committee from all hospitals is obligated to present findings to the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit for further analysis. Given that dengue is a vector-borne disease, maintaining accurate records, including the mobile number and full address of every dengue patient, is critical.