DHAKA, Oct 13, 2022 (BSS) - About 64 percent critically ill dengue patients died this year within three days of hospitalization, Health officials said today.

"So far, a total of 48 out of 75 patients, about 64%, died within three days of hospitalization this year," Additional Director General (Administration) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr Ahmadul Kabir told a press briefing on "Dengue situation" in the conference room of the DGHS here.

He said some 18 patients died between three and six days of admission in hospital while six within 6-9 days and three within 9-30 days.

Mirpur, Uttara, Mugda, Jatrabari, Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur in Dhaka city have been identified as dengue hotspots, Kabir said, adding the highest number of cases has been detected in Cox's Bazar after Dhaka.

He also said dengue infections are highest among people aged over 20 years.

Dr Ekramul Haque, deputy programme manager at the National Malaria Elimination and Aedes Transmitted Diseases Control Programme of DGHS said, "Health condition deteriorates sharply within five days of dengue diagnosis although the fever symptom will show within first two days."

"This is a crucial time for the blood pressure and fluid management of a dengue patient. Unless the fluid level is maintained properly, patients go into shocks and eventually makes it difficult to recover from it," he explained.

In Bangladesh, eight dengue patients died overnight while 765 patients were admitted to different hospitals during the same period.

"As many as 497 dengue patients were hospitalized in Dhaka city and 268 patients were admitted to hospitals outside Dhaka during the past 24 hours," a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

"A total of 83 people died from dengue disease between January 1 and October 13. The first death from dengue was reported on June 21, this
year," the daily statement of the DGHS said.

With the new cases, the total number of dengue patients this year rose to 23,282 while some 20,504 patients were released from the hospitals.