In a bid to raise public awareness the city corporations in the capital have taken plans to educate citizens on preventing dengue infection. The decision was taken early this week following higher incidences of dengue infection among the city dwellers. At least 662 people were infected by dengue from January to June 19. Of them, 153 people were infected in May whereas 370 people were infected from beginning of June to June 19, according to the report by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Referring to data a DGHS official said, "The number of dengue patients in the last five months of this year has doubled compared to the same period last year."
Last year, the number of persons infected with dengue reached an all-time high, breaking all previous records, in the disease’s 19-year history in the country.
National Health Crisis center officials concerned said people usually are attacked by dengue fever during the monsoon as the rain water create a favourable breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito that carry the deadly dengue virus.
The official said, “Dengue fever season usually begins in June and it continues until September. Aedes mosquito usually breeds in empty or left over containers in clean water in urban environment.” According to recent survey (pre-monsoon) of health department, a large amount of Aedes mosquito larvae were found at DNCC's ward no 35 (Moghbazar area).
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Tuesday visited the spot in Moghbazar area and directed the concerned officials to take an all-out measures against mosquito breeding there. Islam also participated in an awareness campaign about dengue and chikungunya being organised at schools, mosques and roadsides at different parts in the capital.
As part of the campaign, leaflets containing guidelines for people to check for spread of the mosquitoes and diseases were distributed among the people of the areas at risk. The mayor advised people not to preserve water in open containers around their houses for three consecutive days to control mosquito breeding and breakout of the disease.
Earlier, the Islam visited capital's Satarkul and Badda areas to raise public awareness about dengue and chikungunya. He addressed street rallies in Beraid, Satarkul, Dadar Bazar and North Badda with a view to campaigning for prevention of mosquito-borne diseases. Besides, the mayor directed the city corporation mosquito control workers and streets cleaners to destroy mosquito breeding grounds by larvaeciding.
He also urged the health authorities concerned to treat the problems of dengue with the required urgency, and to take immediate action to prevent any further spread of the disease. Talking to Bangladesh Post, Dr Syed Mozaffar Ahmed said, “Whenever the dengue symptoms appear, which include fevers above 104 degrees Celsius, and severe headaches with pain behind the eyes, a doctor should be consulted, rather than self-medicating."
He also said, "Traditional type of dengue disease infection has changed. The previous symptoms of dengue were high levels of fever, severe headaches, body aches and rashes on the body. Later, between four to seven days after infection, many symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic (reduced platelet, dental carcinoma, bleeding in the nose, mouth and knees) were seen."
According to the year-wise statistics of DGHS, the number of dengue victims from 2000 to 2018 was 5551 people, 2430 people, 6232 people, 486 people, 3434 people, 1048 people, 2200 people, 466 people, 1153 people, 474 people, 409 people, 1359 people, 671 people, 1749 people, 375 people, 3162 people, 6060 people, 2776 people and 10112 respectively. Whereas, the number of year wise deaths during the same period was 93, 44, 58, 10, 13, 4, 11, 0, 0, 0, 6, 1, 2, 0, 6, 14, 8 and 68 people respectively.
