Noman Moshref :
The dengue cases are alarmingly increasing in company with Covid-19 in the country, according to Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room under the Director General of Health Service’s (DGHS). From January to October this year, 627 dengue cases have been recorded.
On the other hand, from November to December 6, about 632 dengue patients have been infected. May be the last two months cases would exceed the previous ten months.
In last 24 hours, about 6 dengue patients have been infected across the country. Of them, five have been affected in Dhaka and one out of the capital.
Till date, about 62 dengue patients have been admitted different private and public hospitals across the country. Of them 52 patients have admitted in capital’s private and public hospitals while the rest in divisional and district level hospitals.
From January to December 6 this year, 1,260 dengue patients have been admitted in the hospitals across the country and of them 1,198 returned to their homes after recovery.
According to the control room, 199 people were infected with dengue in January this year, 45 in February, 27 in March, 25 in April, 10 in May, 20 in June, 23 in July, 68 in August, 47 in September, 163 in October, 547 in November and 85 in till December 6.
Of the three deaths from dengue this year, one died in August and two in October.
When asked that why more dengue patients in last two months comparing the previous 10 months, DGHS officials preferring anonymity said that the peak time for dengue is July, August and September.
As these three months were very critical for Covid-19, the dengue cases went under the sideline.
They also said, there was not enough dengue test before last two months. Now more tests are being done and more cases are being identified.
Another official said, this year the rainy season continued till November. As a result, dengue cases spiked.
DGHS’s Management Information System (MIS) Director Dr Habibur Rahman said, some dengue patients are not listed this year. Though this is not unusual. The focus was more on Coronavirus. Even then, the DGHS has been working since the beginning of the year and initiatives have been taken.
Meanwhile, Professor ABM Abdullah, personal physician of the Prime Minister and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said that there was less ‘attention’ towards dengue this year. Due to which dengue cases seem to be missing in the beginning.
‘The number of mosquitoes has increased due to early monsoon this year. Dengue has also increased. So now we have to pay attention to dengue. Since winter has come, dengue cases will be reduced”, said Professor Abdullah.
