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Editorial

Dengue rings alarm


Bangladeshpost
Published : 29 May 2024 09:29 PM

The latest survey by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) says some 18 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) are at high risk of spread of dengue. When it rains regularly, the water accumulates, resulting in the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

As southwest monsoon is set to arrive, city dwellers must be cautious about stagnant water which is the main source of breeding of Aedes mosquito. According to the health experts, a small quantity of water can breed Aedes mosquitoes leading to such deadly disease.

Dengue outbreak is usually seen with the onset of monsoon between May and September marking the peak dengue season. However, recent years have witnessed a troubling trend as cases of dengue fever are reported year-round.

This year, the total number of cases rose to 2,795 while 112 deaths from dengue disease were reported during the same period till May 28. Last year, the authorities recorded 1,705 dengue deaths, the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000, according to DGHS. The total number of dengue patients stood at 3, 21,179, which were also the highest figure in a year. Though the government has taken yearlong programme to prevent dengue disease, the mosquito-borne disease has spread across the country. Last year, dengue patients were found in all districts of the country, since the detection of dengue patient for the first time in 2000.

The government must take preventive steps particularly destroying breeding sources of Aedes mosquito to stop outbreak of dengue disease. People’s awareness is also a crucial factor in both urban and rural areas to bring the mosquito-borne viral disease under control as the authorities registered record number of dengue patients last year.

Even if a small quantity of water is left stagnant in any broken pot, tyre, vase or container inside and outside homes and offices, they can be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. The authorities concerned should engage all levels of people including owners of houses, business, religious organisations and other infrastructures to destroy breeding sources of Aedes mosquito.

A small quantity of 

water can breed Aedes 

mosquitoes leading to

 such deadly disease

The health ministry and two city corporations will have to incorporate community people to keep clean inside and outside houses and other infrastructures aiming to destroy breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito to rein in the ongoing dengue outbreak. Bangladesh may witness an even worse outbreak of Aedes mosquito-borne dengue this year as the presence of this virus-carrying insect has increased in the early days of summer, health experts have warned. 

Deaths and hospitalisation from dengue fever between January and May 20 have already surpassed numbers in the corresponding period of the last year, raising fears of a potentially more severe outbreak. The government should take all necessary measures to stop the spread of dengue disease in the country as early as possible. 

The government machinery should work together to control the mosquito-borne disease. The August and September are considered peak months for dengue in our country.

However, recent years have witnessed many people getting infected with dengue even after the end of the peak period. Therefore, it is feared dengue cases and deaths will exceed all previous records this year as the number of cases and fatalities continue to rise, signaling an alarming trend.

Earlier health experts warned the dengue situation would deteriorate this year, telling authorities concerned to launch a massive eradication campaign against all types of mosquitoes. If the authorities do not take immediate effective steps, the situation may take a serious turn during the monsoon. The city dwellers must also discharge their responsibilities properly along with city corporations, otherwise there is a risk that dengue could overwhelm healthcare systems across the country.