Bangladesh logged its deadliest day of the year from dengue fever on Sunday, with 12 people succumbing to the mosquito-borne virus in just 24 hours, the Dhaka Tribune reports.

The latest fatalities pushed the nationwide death toll to 179 since January, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Health officials said 740 new patients were admitted to hospitals in the same period, taking the total number of confirmed cases this year to 48,831.

Currently, 2,021 patients are undergoing treatment in facilities across the country.

Public health experts warn the crisis is worsening faster than last year, when dengue killed 575 people nationwide.

They called for quick action on mosquito control and better preparedness in hospitals as infections continue to rise.