The dengue situation can turn dire before the onset of monsoon. Deaths have also increased this year compared to previous days.
The rapid growth of the dengue during the monsoon could emerged of illness in the Dhaka and beyond, public health authorities warn.
The period from May to September is considered dengue season. However, for the past few years, more or less dengue patients have been found throughout the year.
Experts have blamed a prolonged monsoon and rising temperature, along with a lack of effective measures to kill the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the known carrier of the virus, for the outbreak.
The timing concerns experts because dengue appears to be spreading efficiently in a period. Dengue is constantly evolving into forms that are more transmissible or more adept at infecting previously infected individuals.
Dengue outbreaks are believed to occur during the monsoons because Aedes mosquitoes breed, but over the past few years, the environment has allowed these mosquitoes to breed and dengue outbreaks can occur at any time of the year.
According to the information provided by the Department of Health, from January to April 9 this year, 1 thousand 789 people were admitted to the hospital and 22 people died. Among them,
1 thousand 55 patients were in January, 339 in February and 311 in March. 84 patients were found on April 9.
Last year, 321 thousand 179 dengue patients were identified as the maximum so far. But then patients were more from May to December. More than a thousand patients were found in January this year, which was never found before. In January 2022 there were 126 patients, in January 2021 there were 32 patients.
14 people died in January this year, 3 in February and 5 in March. Last year there were 6 deaths in January, 3 in February and no deaths in March. No one died from dengue from January to May 2022. Before that, there was no death due to this disease during this period even in 2021.
This time the situation may be more delicate than last time. Infections and deaths predict that. Health infrastructure is adequate in divisional and district towns. But if there are more patients at the marginal stage, it will become difficult to handle.
An entomologist from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said, 'Awareness activities to prevent dengue should be carried out throughout the year. Last year we started getting patients in rural areas. This year this amount may increase further. If it increases, there will be a lot of pressure on our medical capacity.
Health Minister Dr. Samant Lal Sen said, 'Aedes mosquito infestation must be stopped. Treatment is next. We have already
had a meeting about everything needed for the treatment. Now I will sit again so that there is no deficiency in treatment.
The government-mandated agency IEDCR has been advised to review countrywide reports and strengthen country surveillance to monitor the transmission situation. It is recommended that all preparations be made for prompt treatment, including dengue tests, in case of future infections.
Public health experts say, 'Dengue treatment can reduce death if patient management is good. But the reality is that mosquito control is quite time-consuming.