Reza Mahmud :
People from the capital have not yet got respite from dengue disease though there is no rain for long.
As per the health authorities report, 103 new dengue patients were hospitalized in the last 24 hours till Friday morning.
Records of the health authorities showed that there are about 1689 dengue patients in hospitals in the last five days across the country. While, about 96 dengue patients have died in the period.
Data of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) showed, the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease this year reached 96.
Among the deceased, 88 patients died in Dhaka division, two each in Chittagong, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi and Barisal divisions. Of the new patients, 98 were hospitalised in Dhaka while rest of the five infected persons were from other divisions.
About 665 dengue patients are receiving treatment in the country as of Friday. Among them, 543 patients were in different hospitals in the capital while the rest 122 were outside Dhaka.
About 25,344 denuge patients have been admitted to hospitals in the country this year. After getting recovery, 24,583 dengue patients have left hospitals so far.
In September, the highest number of 7,841 dengue cases were recorded in September in the country. Officials concern blamed rain in October and stagnant water here and there for the dengue spreading. But, experts said controlling mosquitoes is the only way to eliminate dengue.
When contacted, Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Advisor of the World Health Organisation told The New Nation on Friday, “Mosquito is the carrier of the Dengue from person to person when it bites. The only way to control the disease is killing the mosquito and its larva.”
He said, “We all know where the mosquitoes lay eggs and it grown. Life of mosquito is short and it cannot fly a longer distance. So, mosquitoes can easily be eradicated by taking right measures of spraying larvicides at its sites where it grows.”
The Professor suggested of spraying mosquito killers on a regular basis in every ward where there are stagnant waters or even places where it can lay eggs.
He also asked people for taking right measures against mosquito bites by using mosquito nets and other preventive measures.
For killing mosquitoes, Tk110 crore has been allocated for Dhaka North City Corporation in the financial year 2021-22.
Meanwhile, Tk35.30 crore has been allocated for the Dhaka South City Corporation.
When contacted, Dr.Fazle Shamsul Kabir Chief Health Officer DSCC, told The New Nation on Friday, “There are only seven patients hospitalized from our area.”
He said it is not large number as the previous number of infection was more than this. He said that their 14 employees were conducting mosquito killing activities regularly.
When contacted Brigadier General Md. Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer of DNCC, told The New Nation on Friday, “We are taking strong measures to eliminate mosquitoes.”
He expressed hope that the dengue spreading as well mosquito menace will be eradicated soon.
