According to the health directorate, a total of 130 people have been diagnosed in various private city clinics and public hospitals since the start of this month.

A survey by the health directorate revealed a high density of the Aedes population, the mosquito species that transmits the virus, in several city areas, including Bailey Road, Gulshan, Elephant Road and some areas of Dhanmondi. In view of this, a Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) high official meeting on August 28 decided to launch a month-long drive to destroy Aedes larvae (eggs).

Entomologists, or experts studying insect behaviour, however, said there is no reason to panic as the peak season for Aedes has already passed, meaning the fear for any epidemic has died down.

Still, the number of patients admitted with the disease has gone up recently. The Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital (HFRCH) alone admitted between ten and twenty patients everyday, while Bangladesh Medical College Hospital, another private hospital, also reported having admitted an almost equal number of patients.

An HFRCH official yesterday said they treated a total of 97 patients as of yesterday since the beginning of this month. A total of 25 patients are now being treated for dengue fever at the hospital.

Other city hospitals like the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Mitford General Hospital and Suhrawardi Hospital also reported having admitted dengue patients, between four and six on average everyday.

Touhiduddin Ahmed, a leading entomologist, said, "The usual peak for Aedes breeding is June and July, which has already passed. But the real fear is that since dengue fever has already been reported in the neighbouring West Bengal capital of Kolkata, the state should take measures to check Aedes breeding in our bordering districts, particularly in Rajshahi, where a few months ago I found Aedes larvae."