With 248 new Dengue cases recorded on Friday, a total of 2,899 patients were diagnosed with the disease during the current month, out of the total 13,255 admitted to hospitals this year. Of the total patients, 1,284 are from outside Dhaka. A total of 54 people have died of dengue infection in the country this year in July, August, and September. The Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) has not taken adequate awareness campaigns to motivate city dwellers to help contain the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. NGO activities also shrunk to combat the mosquito menace.
According to the DGHS, at least 7,698 dengue patients were diagnosed in August, 2,286 in July, 272 in June, while 43 were infected in May. Though most of the hospitalised patients have so far been released, 1,221 are still undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka, and 180 outside the capital. We are at a stage where we have to use insecticides on a massive scale to control mosquitoes and the spread of dengue. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the risks of dengue patients have multiplied as hospital beds and ICUs are already occupied by coronavirus patients.
A study has found the presence of more Aedes mosquitoes in every ward of Dhaka city than in the same period last year. Due to the greater presence of Aedes mosquitoes, there is a huge possibility of a rise of dengue fever this year and the number of cases in June speaks of it. Experts fear that dengue may spread further if the authorities concerned do not take appropriate measures before reopening educational institutions. They have suggested cleaning of schools, colleges, and universities properly to destroy Aedes mosquito larvae and their breeding spots. The Dhaka North City Corporation initiated a three-day cleaning drive in 443 educational institutes on September 8. The two city corporations need to do more. The authorities will have to take immediate steps to raise awareness among the people to remove water from pots, coconut shells and potholes in premises of homes and rooftops of buildings as Aedes breeds in clean water.
