Dengue deaths near 700 with Thursday's 20

The number of dengue fatalities in Bangladesh is nearing 700, reports news agency UNB based on the tally of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

With 20 more deaths from dengue in the past 24 hours as of Thursday morning, the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease climbed to 691 here.

During the period, as many as 2,689 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, disclosed the DGHS.

Of the new patients, 899 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital, indicating a worsening situation across the country.

A total of 9,711 dengue cases, including 4,151 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals countrywide.

The DGHS has so far recorded 140,711 dengue cases and 130,309 recoveries this year.

Meanwhile, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged swift action as dengue cases surge in Bangladesh.

"The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high humidity."

These factors have resulted in an increased mosquito population throughout Bangladesh, concluded the WHO.