Helemul Alam

The DENV-3 serotype has become the dominant strain of the dengue virus in Bangladesh this year, replacing DENV-2, which was the most prevalent last year, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Dhaka division has emerged as the country's dengue hotspot, recording 6,871 cases, including 4,404 infections in Dhaka city alone this year.

With 1,156 dengue patients hospitalised as of yesterday, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital has topped the list of hospitals treating dengue patients this year, followed by Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Mugda Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital.

With 10 days still to go, August has already recorded 27 percent more dengue cases than all of July, as experts warn infections may continue rising.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital is receiving a large number of dengue patients from across Bangladesh, many of whom arrive with severe complications that increase their risk of death, doctors and public health experts have said.

Despite men accounting for more dengue infections, women are making up a disproportionately higher share of deaths from the disease this year, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) data.

In August, Bangladesh recorded its third-highest number of dengue cases and deaths for the month since the country's first major outbreak in 2000, as infections continue to rise.

While frequent load-shedding has become a concern for Dhaka residents, people in several neighbourhoods, including East Senpara, East Kazipara, Ibrahimpur and East Rajabazar, say power outages have become an unexpected opportunity to collect water.

Teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 30 accounted for around 42 percent of all dengue cases reported this year, making them the most affected age group.

Despite spending around Tk 825 crore on mosquito control over the last 11 years, Dhaka's two city corporations have failed to prevent recurring outbreaks of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.