Alarm bell rings as dengue situation is worsening and nobody knows for whom the bell tolls. According to a report published in the Bangladesh Post on Tuesday under the headline ‘Dengue may turn alarming,’ the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) warned that in Bangladesh dengue crisis is deepening with 79 deaths reported so far this year.
The health directorate on Sunday logged the highest single day death toll and cases this year. Twelve dengue deaths were reported on Sunday and 470 new cases were recorded. The worsenic outbreak of dengue has raised grave concern as the country has seen a sharp year on year surge in dengue, with cases up 81 percent and deaths 43 percent. Since January, 41,831 cases have been recorded.
High incidence of dengue has been reported in Dhaka city and many hospitals and clinics in the city have been incapable of coping with a large number of patients pouring in daily. This certainly puts a severe strain on the hospital emergency services. Moreover, Bangladesh continued to log one of the world’s worst case fatality rates during dengue outbreaks throughout the last two decades, underscoring the strain put on the country’s almost fragile healthcare system and the people particularly the poor. Changing climate is also increasing the virulence of the dengue virus and facilitating its vector population growth. The number of dengue cases may continue to rise for a few more weeks as the experts have warned that the outbreak’s peak, which usually falls between July and September, has been delayed by downpours this year and it is now likely in October. As this is a very dreadful period health officials said early testing and timely hospitalization are crucial because the viral disease has seen sharp rise recently. Dengue patients who died this year were admitted to hospitals after running a fever for three or more days. Health authorities highlighted delayed hospitalization as the leading. Cause of the fatalities.
Timely treatment is absolutely crucial. The DGHS Director General prof Dr Md Abu Jafar cautioned, ‘if anyone develops fever, should get tested for dengue immediately. Later diagnosis leads to complications and increases the risk of death’. High death rate implies a high number of critical cases that arrive late in hospitals for treatment.
It augurs well that DGHS has already issued directives to all government hospitals to set up separate wards and medical teams dedicated to handling dengue cases and ensure better treatment.
Disorganised urbanization is also a key factor in the rapid spread of dengue virus. Mosquitoes breed at astronomical rates due to the increasing number of slums in Dhaka city. The role of the Local Government Division is crucial in controlling mosquitoes and curbing dengue cases. In order to control spread of dengue the city corporations must accelerate mosquito eradication programme. Above all, the DCCs cannot shirk their responsibility. They must do everything they are capable of besides raising awareness among people by organised campaign. For averting the danger of dengue. They must keep the city clean by p0roper and regular waste disposal. And we urge a double-quick action from them for wholesale eradication of mosquitoes.
