DENGUE fever has emerged as a big threat to city dwellers as well as among people across the country as we remain overwhelmingly concerned with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Death toll from dengue this year up to October stood 84 so far. But we cannot overlook the danger to public health from dengue, a predominantly wet season disease, which has been found prevalent throughout the year. We would say watch on dengue must be increased to stop its outbreak which is posing another threat to public health.
At least 123 patients were hospitalised with dengue fever in the 24 hours preceding Friday morning including seven patients from outside Dhaka, as per a release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). A total of 3,933 patients have been diagnosed with dengue in October so far out of a total 22,130 infected this year. Of the total infected, at least 3,121 are from outside Dhaka. A total of 12 people died in July, 34 in August, 23 in September and 15 in October so far. The number of infections was 7,841 in September, 7,698 in August. 2,286 in July, 272 in June and 43 in May. At least 780 patients are now undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka and 155 are being treated outside the capital, while the rest have been released following recovery.
Depending on rainfall the number of infections is going up and down. We would say the two city corporations in the capital must undertake special cleanliness programmes to destroy breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes at places where clean water remains stuck up at construction sites and within house premises. Flower pots that hold water are ideal places for egg laying of this species of mosquitoes which spreads dengue fever infecting people. Every house keepers must be watchful and city corporations must undertake a greater mass awareness programme. We have a very sad experience of spraying insecticides by city corporation people. Corrupt city corporation officials buy expired stock and make illegal money at the cost of people’s safety. They must be punished to protect public health.
