We are deeply concerned about sharp rise in dengue cases in different parts of the country. Experts also see no sign of immediate improvement of the worsening dengue situation. They warn that dengue may turn into epidemic form across the country unless the authorities concerned take urgent and coordinated measures to combat the mosquito-borne disease.
A total of 51,404 people have so far been infected with dengue this year across the country, including Dhaka, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The disease has claimed 217 lives as of Tuesday.
In the last 24 hours till Tuesday, two people died of dengue, while 715 new cases were reported. The country witnessed nine deaths, the highest dengue fatalities, on Sunday this year.
Medical entomologist Dr Kabirul Bashar, professor of zoology at Jahangirnagar University, said that a recent survey indicate that dengue infections will rise further in the current month of October.
"If timely measures are not taken, dengue could become an endemic disease nationwide," he said with a note of warning.
Public health expert Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed described the dengue situation as ‘alarming,’ saying that local transmission is now occurring even in villages. "Previously, cases were reported from cities, but now the infection is spreading to rural areas," he said.
He added that dengue is spreading to rural areas like Barguna, Shariatpur, and Rajbari districts, where mosquito control measures and healthcare facilities are inadequate.
"As dengue spreads outside Dhaka, cases and fatalities will rise, and many families will fall into catastrophic health expenditure while seeking treatment," Dr Be-Nazir said.
Dr Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said a recent survey revealed that high iron levels in Barguna's water have caused an acute shortage of drinking water.
She said stored water should not be kept for more than two days, but due to the water crisis, residents often refill half-used water instead, allowing mosquito larvae to thrive.
Medical entomologist Dr Kabirul Bashar warned that dengue is gradually spreading beyond Dhaka and urged immediate long-term planning to combat the dengue outbreak.
He said that proper dengue treatment must be available at the upazila level across the country. “Unnecessary referrals between hospitals increase the risk of plasma leakage which may cause death.”
Dr Bashar also stressed the importance of hotspot management, including larviciding and source reduction around infected households. "Eevery household must discard stagnant water inside and outside their homes at least once a week," he said.
In view of the alarming dengue situation, we hope the government and the agencies concerned will work in a coordinated manner to effectively combat dengue. The government should also intensify the ongoing drive to prevent people from being attacked with the mosquito-borne disease.
