A record number of new dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Monday (Aug 5).
A total of 2,065 people have been infected with the mosquito-borne viral disease till this morning, says the Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS).
As many as 1,159 of the patients were infected in capital Dhaka alone and 906 elsewhere in the country.
According to the Health Emergency Operations Centre of the DGHS, a total of 27,437 people were hospitalised with dengue since 1 January.
At least 7,658 patients, including children, are undergoing treatment at hospitals now, while the rest were discharged after treatment.
During the period, 18 dengue patients died, all in the capital, it said. Unofficial estimates, however, say at least 60 people have died so far this year.
Almost all hospitals in Dhaka are struggling to cope with the increasing flow of dengue patients, with many public hospitals accommodating patients on the floors.
Hospitals and clinics across Bangladesh are facing a shortage of facilities, making them struggle to provide services to dengue patients.
Doctors and staff at hospitals are not able to handle the huge number of patients flooding the hospitals with dengue symptoms.
A viral infection, dengue causes flu-like symptoms, including piercing headaches, muscle and joint pains, fever and full-body rashes. Of the millions of people infected with dengue every year worldwide, an estimated 500,000 develop severe symptoms requiring hospitalization, and of those, some 12,500 people die, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Searching for and destroying mosquito breeding places, use of mosquito net as well as repellents, and seeking early consultation when the first signs and symptoms of the disease strike are the most effective ways to prevent and cure dengue.
Doctors suggest taking rest and plenty of fluids such as oral saline, coconut water, juices in fever. Medicines other than paracetamol are restricted without the doctor's advice.