Dengue cases sharply rise in Jashore with hospitals admitting an average of 30 to 40 patients every day.
Civil Surgeon Masud Rana confirmed that 202 patients were admitted in September, 339 in October and 280 so far in November.
Most cases have been reported from Jashore Sadar and Abhaynagar upazilas.
Despite winter usually bringing down dengue transmission, infections have spread deeper into rural areas this year. Many residents say the situation is worsening because there is no effective mosquito-control programme.
Others blame persistent waterlogging for helping mosquito breeding continue.
Doctors say unusually frequent rainfall during the early winter months has allowed Aedes mosquitoes to keep breeding, making it difficult to bring dengue under control.
Hospitals are struggling to cope with the rising number of patients.
Abhaynagar Upazila Health Complex RMO Dr Mahfuzur Rahman Sobuj said, “We have admitted many dengue patients this year. July to November saw the highest influx. Normally dengue declines by mid-November, but this year we could not bring the numbers down as expected. Rain at the start of winter has kept the mosquito breeding cycle active.”
He added that the hospital admitted 691 dengue patients between January and November, with 19 still receiving treatment. No deaths have been reported so far.
Civil Surgeon Dr Masud Rana also confirmed there have been no dengue-related deaths in the district this year.
“We have sufficient test kits at upazila hospitals, the district hospital and the medical college. Public awareness is crucial. Anyone with fever should seek medical advice immediately and avoid taking medicines on their own,” he said.
Dengue patients, however, claim that the absence of effective mosquito-control activities is contributing to the spread.
Shahjalal Hossain, a dengue patient from Bagutia Union, said, “My home is right beside the union council office. Almost my entire family has been infected. We haven’t seen any mosquito-control drives yet, while dengue keeps spreading in the village.”
Another patient, Salma Begum, said, “I have had fever for a month. I went home after recovering once but had to return to the hospital. I have stomach pain and severe body aches. We live inside the municipality, but I haven’t seen any mosquito-killing activity. The authorities should start fogging immediately.”
According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, 1,220 dengue patients have been identified in Jashore so far this year, of whom 1,170 have already recovered and returned home.
