11 infected with Zika, 67 with Chikungunya this year

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has recorded 11 cases of Zika virus and 67 cases of Chikungunya across the country this year.
Director General of DGHS Prof Dr Md. Abu Jafor disclosed the data at a news conference on Monday. Majority of the patients are from the capital.
"The mosquito-borne diseases were identified during an investigation of dengue cases. There is no reason to panic, as fatality rates from Zika and Chikungunya viruses are low," said Prof Jafor.
The DGHS used the data collected by the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
In the first 27 days of November, 314 patients received treatment with symptom of chikungunya at Square Hospital. Specialists say that patients are visiting their chambers with signs and symptoms of chikungunya.
According to the DGHS, 92,351 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country as of December 1 this year. Of them, 494 people have died from the tropical disease. November witnessed a record number of 173 deaths.
Dr Jafor further said that the death rate from dengue is high because of delay in taking patients to hospital. Those who are in critical condition must be taken to hospital immediately, he added.
Among the deceased in Dhaka, the majority belong to the 20 to 40 age group. In contrast, Chittagong has a higher mortality rate among children and the elderly.

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