Reza Mahmud :
Detection of Indian variant of Covid-19 virus in Bangladesh has created panic among the people while the human health experts have warned of dire consequences if safety rules are ignored.
Sources said, the World Health Organisation recently listed B.1.617 which is called Indian covid variant. It is more infectious and may evade vaccine protections, contributing to the country’s explosive outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of the Health Services of Bangladesh disclosed on Saturday that they had found Indian variant of Covid-19 virus in several patients’ bodies who returned from India recently.
This development has created huge panic among the people.
Meanwhile human health experts have said that if the peoples’ movements are not halted, the highly contagious Indian strain of the coronavirus may create a horrific situation.
“The Covid-19 spreading in India gets worst due to those double mutational coronavirus. The pandemic situation of the neighboring country is really crossing all limits. The government of Bangladesh should be stricter to maintain health safety measures to evade such worst situation here,” Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former Director (disease control) of the DGHS told The New Nation. He said, “The real threat comes now. If the Indian variants become active along with the UK and South African ones, it will spell disaster for us. Our healthcare system will not be able to tackle the situation.”
Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Advisor of the World Health Organisation told The New Nation, “When the Indian variant have been detected, stricter measure is a must on realizing health safety measures and avoiding gatherings.”
The professor said vaccination is to be made available as early as possible and people should be encouraged to be vaccinated.
He also suggested keeping borders with India completely sealed.
“All Upazilla Health Comlexes near the borders be equipped for early management of cases with availability of oxygen, oxygen mask and high flow nasal cannula. Trained doctors and nurses are to be made available for a readiness to manage such cases,” the Professor said.
When contacted, Human Health Expert Dr. Lenin Chowdhury told The New Nation, “Variants like UK, South African, Brazilian and Nigerian have been found in the country many days ago.”
“Among them, South African variant seemed more contagious than others and contributed to rise the spreading in the second wave. Now, the Indian variant has been added with them,” he said.
Dr. Lenin said, “It does not matter which variant have been detected, the main thing is that the virus is serious infectious. So, everyone should be aware of to take cautionary measures to be safe from being contaminated.”
“The people should avoid gathering and the government must have to stop Eid going peoples rush,” he said.
“If we fail to prevent gatherings in Eid markets and way homes, the nation might be pushed to dire consequences like India,” the health expert said.
The human health experts stressed on to follow every safety measures including wearing face mask, washing hands with soap frequently, maintaining social distancing strictly and avoiding gathering in order to be safe and keeping the nation free from India like worst Covid situation.
