Dhaka, Sept. 18 -- Bangladesh's dengue situation has taken a turn for the worse, with 79 deaths reported in the first 17 days of September, the highest monthly death toll so far this year.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 176 dengue patients have died from the mosquito-borne disease since January 1 this year.

Of them, two died in January, two in February, one in May, 13 in June, 36 in July and 43 in August.

September alone accounted for 79 fatalities, representing around 44.89 percent of the total deaths recorded so far this year.

Besides, a total of 22,554 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the first 17 days of September, which is also the highest monthly figure ...