It is alarming that dengue fever is making a major comeback with the number of infected people having more than doubled since last month, compared with the same period last year. 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 as reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The report also addresses dengue fever as an endemic disease in Bangladesh, meaning it will remain in the country throughout the year. This certainly calls for coordinated implementation of anti-dengue projects on the part of the different agencies involved.
Resurgence of dengue calls for
coordinated implementation of
anti-dengue projects on the part
of the different agencies involved
What is more alarming is that a new variety of type-3 dengue was found for the first time in Bangladesh. 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. In the wake of record-high dengue cases, an advisory should be issued in no time for prevention of the disease.
Dengue mosquitoes thrive in areas with stagnant water in puddles, water tanks, containers and old tyres. Lack of reliable sanitation and garbage collection also contributes to the spread the disease. So, 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 water-logging, 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 also prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Authorities should deploy expert teams to visit dengue-prone areas in the city and inform people about how to destroy all potential mosquito breeding sites.
