The outbreak of the Aedes mosquito-borne viral disease is increasing across the country at an alarming rate. At least 27 wards of Dhaka city are at high risk of dengue, found a new survey by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the wards, 13 are in Dhaka North City Corporation and 14 in Dhaka South City Corporation. However, dengue cases have been detected in as many as 50 districts this year, Dhaka being the worst affected among them, followed by Cox's Bazar.
Reportedly, Bangladesh has reported hospitalisation of more 437 dengue patients in 24 hours till Thursday morning. This year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne viral disease rose to 48 on Thursday with two more deaths reported from Chattogram district. This year, the directorate has recorded 12,875 dengue cases and 11,298 recoveries so far.
However, experts assert that the DGHS data about dengue patients does not give a complete picture of the dengue outbreak as the organisation collects data from only 47 hospitals in Dhaka and many private clinics in Dhaka remain outside its data collection efforts.
The two city corporations should
deploy expert teams to visit
dengue-prone areas in the city
and inform people about how
to destroy all potential mosquito-breeding sites
A new variety of type-3 dengue was found for the first time in Bangladesh in 2020. Considering the changing characteristic of the disease, departments concerned including health experts should look forward to conducting further research and forming a high-profile committee of experts to formulate a guideline to tackle dengue.
Also, proper directives should be provided to the hospitals in case of encountering any dengue cases as in both dengue and coronavirus cases the symptom of fever is common.
Dengue mosquitoes thrive in areas with stagnant water in puddles, water tanks, containers and old tyres. Hence, at the household level, people need to be aware of these issues, and keep their houses clean. The best way to prevent the disease from spreading in settlements is to remove waterlogged areas, keep the settlements always clean and properly dump bio-degradable garbage away from human settlements and use insecticide-treated mosquito nets. These are not difficult tasks. Proper hygiene and sanitation can help prevent the transmission of dengue virus.
The two city corporations should deploy expert teams to visit dengue-prone areas in the city and inform people about how to destroy all potential mosquito-breeding sites.
Also, in order to control Aedes mosquitoes, devising an integrated initiative, especially involving locals has become the need of the hour. If city authorities do not devise necessary measures immediately to control Aedes mosquitoes, there might be a surge in the number of dengue patients.