Over half of dengue patients die within 24 hours of hospitalisation: DGHS
September sees highest cases, deaths
More than half of this year's dengue fatalities in Bangladesh occurred within just 24 hours of hospital admission, largely due to delayed hospitalisation, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said today (22 September).
At a press briefing on the dengue situation, DGHS Director of Communicable Disease Control Dr Halimur Rashid said, "So far, we have reviewed 114 dengue deaths. Of them, 66 patients died within 0–24 hours of hospitalisation, 18 within 24–48 hours, five within 48–72 hours, and 25 after 72 hours."
He noted that most of the deceased sought medical care late—typically after enduring fever for three to six days—leaving their average hospital stay before death at just 2.5 days.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Dhaka and Barguna districts recorded the highest number of fatalities, with Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) reporting the most among healthcare facilities.
Young adults were disproportionately affected, with the highest death toll reported among patients aged 20-30 years. A significant number of deaths were linked to co-morbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension, which worsened outcomes, health professionals said.
Dengue Shock Syndrome was identified as the leading cause of death, followed by Expanded Dengue Syndrome.
DGHS Director General Professor Dr Abu Jafar said data analysis shows that many dengue patients are dying within 24 hours of hospital admission as they arrive in critical condition.
He warned that delayed treatment significantly raises the risk of death and urged people with fever to seek medical attention immediately and get admitted promptly if required.
Public awareness, he stressed, is key to reducing fatalities.
Bangladesh logged its deadliest day of the year from dengue on 21 September, with 12 people succumbing to the mosquito-borne disease. The tally of deaths for the day includes three fatalities from previous day, according to the DGHS.
During the same period, 740 dengue patients were hospitalised — the highest single-day tally this year — raising the total number of confirmed cases to 48,831.
Two more deaths from dengue fever were reported over the past 24 hours till yesterday morning, while another 687 people hospitalised.
The latest fatalities pushed the nationwide death toll to 181 since January. Of them, 51.4% were male and 48.6% were female.
According to last year's data, eight people died in June, 14 in July, 30 in August, and 87 in September.
Hospital admissions were 798 in June, 2,669 in July, 6,521 in August, and 1,897 in September — showing that the highest number of cases and deaths occurred in September.
"The purpose of sharing the current situation and our response measures is to make the public aware and involve them in the management process. No matter what measures are taken, if the public is not alert and proactive, it will be very difficult to control a communicable disease like dengue," the DGHS chief said.
