Dengue infections are rising sharply in Bagerhat, with more than 200 people hospitalised over the past two months and health authorities declaring parts of Morrelganj and Kachua upazilas as high-risk “red zones” amid fears the outbreak could worsen.
According to district health officials, 218 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals between May and 25 June, while one person has died from the mosquito-borne disease. However, officials believe the actual number of infections is significantly higher, as many patients are receiving treatment at private hospitals and clinics without being included in government statistics.
The outbreak has been concentrated in Morrelganj and neighbouring Kachua, where dengue has spread across several villages, leaving residents increasingly concerned.
Health authorities attribute the surge in infections to stagnant water in canals excavated by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). They said earthen embankments constructed during the canal excavation project blocked the natural flow of water, creating ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
Civil Surgeon ASM Mahbubul Alam said dengue transmission has spread widely across several unions in Morrelganj and Kachua since May.
“We have identified Kachua and Morrelganj as red zones. Stagnant water in BWDB canals has created favourable conditions for Aedes mosquito breeding, leading to the rapid spread of dengue,” he said.
He said hospitals had been supplied with adequate dengue testing kits, while patients requiring specialised treatment were being referred to Khulna.
According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, hospitals are admitting 10 to 15 dengue patients every day, while another 60 to 70 people with fever are seeking treatment daily.
Official data show that 186 of the 218 patients admitted since May have recovered and been discharged, while 32 remained under treatment as of 25 June. A 75-year-old patient died from dengue during the period.
A visit to the 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital on Thursday found overcrowded wards, with some dengue patients receiving treatment on the floor because of a shortage of beds. Doctors and nurses were struggling to cope with the growing number of patients, including children and elderly people suffering from high fever and other dengue-related complications.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Asim Kumar Samaddar said a dedicated dengue corner had been opened to manage the increasing patient load.
“Every day, around 30 to 40 patients are admitted, while another 35 to 40 patients with dengue-like symptoms receive treatment at the outpatient department,” he said.
Besides the district hospital, dengue patients are also being treated at upazila health complexes, private hospitals and clinics across the district.
Residents said the outbreak has placed severe financial and emotional strain on many families, with several households reporting multiple infections.
Sabana Begum of Bhandarkhola village in Kachua said her husband, a day labourer, was admitted to hospital after testing positive for dengue following four days of fever.
“My husband developed fever four days ago. Tests confirmed dengue and he was admitted on Wednesday night. We have no one else at home, and I do not know how we will manage his treatment or support our family,” she said.
She claimed several families in her village had multiple dengue patients, with some households reporting up to five infected members.
Mahidul Islam of Bishkhali village in Kachua said his 75-year-old mother had been admitted to the district hospital three days earlier but her condition had shown little improvement.
“Almost every household in our village has dengue patients. People are terrified, and many are shifting patients to private clinics hoping for better treatment,” he said.
Residents of Morrelganj reported similar experiences.
Samsur Rahman, 55, of Putia village said he had spent nearly a week in hospital undergoing repeated medical tests.
Meanwhile, Shipra Bakshi, 43, of Ramchandrapur village, was transferred to a private hospital in Khulna after developing complications. Her husband, Shibu Bakshi, said dengue infections had spread widely across surrounding villages, leaving many families worried about the growing outbreak.
