Two more patients have succumbed to dengue fever whilst undergoing treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), taking the total death toll from the mosquito-borne viral infection at the facility to 18 this year.
The deceased have been identified as Rashida Khatun, aged 42, and Jafar Ali, aged 70. Rashida, a resident of Bhaluka Upazila in Mymensingh district, was admitted to the hospital on the afternoon of 11 September. Doctors reported that her condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to her death on the evening of 13 September due to dengue shock syndrome—a severe, potentially fatal complication characterised by a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Jafar Ali, hailing from Sreepur Upazila in neighbouring Gazipur district, was admitted on the afternoon of 13 September. He was swiftly moved to the Intensive Care Unit as his vital organs began failing. Medical authorities confirmed he passed away early the following morning. His death was attributed to expanded dengue syndrome alongside acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, septic shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Pressure on MMCH remains intense as health authorities continue to register a steady stream of incoming cases from across the central-northern region. A total of 55 new dengue patients were admitted to the hospital within a recent 24-hour window, while 58 individuals were discharged following recovery. Currently, 131 patients are receiving treatment in the hospital’s dedicated dengue wards. Since the beginning of the year, MMCH has recorded 2,178 admissions linked to the virus.
The surge in cases reflects a broader nationwide strain on healthcare infrastructure during the peak monsoon and post-monsoon months. Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit the dengue virus, breed predominantly in stagnant water accumulated in urban and semi-urban environments. Public health specialists continue to stress the urgency of vector control measures, early diagnosis, and immediate medical intervention to prevent severe clinical complications.
