Dengue cases in Chattogram cross 600 as July infections surge

The dengue situation in Chattogram continues to worsen, with 16 new patients admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections this year to 603.

According to the latest report from the Chattogram Civil Surgeon’s Office released on Tuesday, 305 of the total cases were recorded in the first 21 days of July alone, accounting for more than half of this year’s infections.

Monthly data show that 68 cases were reported in January, 22 in February, 20 in March, 29 in April, 37 in May, 122 in June and 305 between July 1 and 21.

Among the 16 newly infected patients, five are men, seven are women and four are children. Nine have been admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, while one patient each is receiving treatment at the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID), Andarkilla General Hospital, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and an upazila health complex. The remaining three have been admitted to private hospitals.

Of the 603 reported cases this year, 236 patients are from Chattogram city, 247 are from different upazilas of the district and 120 are residents of other districts who sought treatment in Chattogram.

The district has recorded two dengue-related deaths so far this year"one in February and the other in July.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said the number of infections typically rises during the monsoon as Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water. He urged residents to keep their homes and surroundings clean and ensure that water does not remain stagnant for more than three days.

He also advised people experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches to seek medical attention promptly, adding that both public and private hospitals have been asked to remain fully prepared to handle dengue patients.