Rumours on dengue are being circulated, just the way conspirators have spread kidnapping rumours says Dhaka South City Mayor Sayeed Khokon.

“The claim of 350,000 people infected with dengue is fictitious and it's linked to the rumours of kidnapping,” he said on Thursday (Jul 25) while launching a drive to curb mosquito menace in the city.

The government will tackle the dengue surge strongly, said the mayor.

“It’s not desirable to politicise the mosquito issue ... The government along with the people is firmly committed to facing the conspirators,” he added

In 24 hours until Wednesday, 560 new dengue cases were reported from hospitals, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 559 were admitted to Dhaka hospitals.

At least 16 people have already died from the mosquito-borne viral disease, but the official records put the casualties only at eight.

According to the DGHS, so far 8,565 people have been infected with dengue this year, and 6,421 of them were admitted to hospitals across the country in July.