Bangladesh dengue deaths reach 352 as experts blame treatment delays
Four more people died of dengue in Bangladesh, raising this year's death toll to 352. More than 114,000 patients have been hospitalized. Doctors say many patients arrive in shock after late diagnosis and long journeys, and urge high-risk people to seek care early.
Four more people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to 8 a.m. Monday, bringing this year's death toll to 352, The Daily Star and The Business Standard reported, citing the Directorate General of Health Services.
Another 1,851 patients were admitted to hospitals in that period, The Business Standard reported. In all, 114,251 dengue patients have been hospitalized this year, and 107,865 have recovered.
The outbreak has grown fast in recent months. September's 148 deaths were the highest monthly toll so far this year, The Business Standard reported. Only five people died from January through May, followed by 13 in June, 36 in July and 43 in August.
Health experts say delays are driving the deaths, The Daily Star reported. They point to late hospital admission and diagnosis, the lack of a strong three-tier system for managing dengue and rising infections. A review of 119 deaths by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research found that more than a third of the patients died within a day of reaching the hospital. Most died of dengue shock syndrome, and many had waited at least three days for a diagnosis.
"If 20 patients arrive, around 15 may be in shock," said HM Nazmul Ahsan, an associate professor at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. "Approximately 90 percent of the patients we are receiving are critically ill." He said some patients travel five to six hours from district towns and arrive in shock, and some clinics send patients on without first treating them.
Nazmul urged high-risk people to seek hospital care quickly after diagnosis, The Daily Star reported. That group includes pregnant women, babies under a year old, older adults and people with heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, asthma or obesity. "Early hospitalisation is our main recommendation," he said.
Public health expert Mushtuq Hussain suggested trying free dengue testing at primary care clinics.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital has recorded the most deaths, 99, The Daily Star reported.
What we know: Bangladesh's dengue toll this year is 352, with more than 114,000 hospitalized.
What we don't: How long the outbreak will keep rising this season.
Where outlets agree The Daily Star and The Business Standard both report Bangladesh's dengue death toll at 352 after four more deaths, citing health officials.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.