The number of dengue deaths in Bangladesh this year surpassed the 450 mark yesterday, making it only the second time in 24 years that deaths from the mosquito-borne disease have crossed that threshold.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 459 dengue patients have died so far this year, with 11 deaths reported in the last 24 hours until yesterday morning.

The previous record was set in 2023, when 1,705 people lost their lives, while 2022 saw 281 deaths.

The latest deaths include four in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), five in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and two in Khulna division. Meanwhile, 1,079 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country during the same period, bringing the total number of cases reported since January to 86,791, according to DGHS data.

Health experts attribute this year’s high mortality rate to serious complications such as multiple organ failure, shock syndrome, hospitalization delays and comorbidities.

Dr HM Nazmul Ahsan, associate professor at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, said many patients arrive at hospitals with multi-organ failure, triggered by shock syndrome after the fever subsides.

“When shock persists beyond four hours, patients typically face liver damage, followed by kidney and other organ failure, leading to death in most cases,” he said. -he declared.

He added that dengue patients with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and chronic lung diseases are particularly vulnerable. People already suffering from terminal organ failure have even lower chances of survival, as recent cases prove.

Often overlooked warning signs

Nazmul said patients often fail to recognize warning signs, such as severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, bleeding, extreme weakness or significant drops in urination. When they consulted a doctor, their condition had deteriorated.

Professor Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, highlighted the risk of cross-infections of different dengue serotypes, which can lead to serious complications if hospitalization is delayed.

“Anyone with a fever should immediately seek medical attention and follow the prescribed treatment,” she advised.