Mosquito-borne disease dengue may strike with its full virulence this year too. Reportedly, in the last season, there were around 28,000 people who had been hospitalized, with over 100 people dying, Experts apprehend that that city dwellers will witness a worse dengue outbreak in the coming days. With the onset of monsoon, a dozen areas around the capital have been identified as hotspots for Aedes mosquitoes.
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.
In order to control Aedes mosquitoes, devising an
integrated initiative, especially involving locals has
belcome the need of the hour
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. If relevant authorities do not devise necessary measures imminently to control Aedes mosquitoes, there might be a surge in the number of dengue patients. Also, in order to control Aedes mosquitoes, devising an integrated initiative, especially involving locals has become the need of the hour.
We know that 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.
