Bangladesh records more than 1,700 dengue deaths in 2023

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh registered 1,701 dengue deaths in 2023, a grim record since the South Asian nation started keeping dengue records in 2000.

Of the total, 168 were children between 0 - 15 years of age, according to official figures.

Health authorities reported two additional deaths Thursday and 110 new hospitalizations.

Twenty-eight new infections were from the nation’s capital of Dhaka with no casualties. Two deaths were reported outside Dhaka, according to data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Total cases from the mosquito-borne viral fever rose to 320,945, including 109,927 from Dhaka -- both records.

Of the total deaths, 978 were from Dhaka, the epicenter of infections, said DGHS.

A total of 867 patients were in hospitals as of Thursday, including 281 in Dhaka, it said.

Of total hospitalizations, 318,377 patients recovered and returned home with a 99% recovery rate.

The viral infection is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes but there is no treatment for the infection.

Last year, Bangladesh reported 281 deaths and 123,808 cases.