It is feared dengue cases and deaths may break all previous records signaling an alarm this year. The number of cases and fatalities may surge. Earlier dengue specialists and health experts warned that the situation may deteriorate this year, telling the authorities concerned to launch a massive campaign to eliminate all types of mosquitoes.
Rising temperature and a longer monsoon in the country because of climate change are creating ideal breeding conditions for the dengue-spreading mosquito. Bangladesh witnessed the highest number of dengue cases last year since the mosquito-borne disease was detected in 2000. The country reported nearly three lakh dengue-infected cases last year. In the past 23 years, 2.5 lakh dengue cases were reported in the country, says Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen. Sharp rise in both infection and fatality of dengue in 2023 is forcing all relevant organisations for taking concerted efforts to destroy breeding sources of dengue alongside improving healthcare services.
The months of August and September are known to be peak months for mosquito-borne dengue disease in our country. However, there was no let-up in dengue as the number of dengue cases continued to rise in different metropolitan cities especially capital Dhaka, towns and remote areas of the country till December last year.
However, the authorities did not take effective steps during lean periods (November-April), which were vital to control the spread of dengue last year. So, the dengue continued for long as a large number of Aedes mosquitoes grew last year.
Bangladesh witnessed
the highest number of
dengue cases last year
Therefore, all have to take comprehensive initiatives to prevent the dengue disease. And all organisations will have to work in coordination to combat mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and Chikungunya.
It is not possible to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes without destroying the source. City corporations and people will have to work together to destroy the breeding grounds and other sources of the Aedes mosquito.
We have noticed that even after repeated warnings, people are not getting aware. We think the city corporations will not be able to protect the people unless they are aware of it. The dengue eradication drive will have to be intensified so that it could be possible to bring down the number of dengue cases to nil. Besides, there is no alternative to a healthy environment for people’s wellbeing and to ensure a healthy environment, people from all walks of life need to be involved in the social movement for clean-up activities.
Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in flower tubs, plastic containers, discarded tires, plastic drums, earthenware pots, buckets, tin cans, coconut shells or coconut garlands, containers, pots, battery cells, etc. Therefore, apart from the city corporations, the physicians and experts will also have to come forward in order to make people more cautious how the breeding ground and other sources of Aedes mosquito can be destroyed.
Aedes mosquitoes are unlikely to breed if people do not store water in their backyards, flower tubs, air conditioners, especially basements of under-construction or abandoned buildings, or keep a small amount of kerosene in clean or stored water for three consecutive days.
