Bangladesh has recorded 67 cases of Chikungunya and 11 cases of Zika virus in the country this year, according to a report from The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Dr Halimur Rashid, line director of IEDCR, disclosed the information at a press briefing held at Mohakhali on Monday, reports UNB.
Dr. Abu Zafar, director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), was present at the event.
“Ninety per cent of those infected with the Zika virus show no symptoms and the mortality rate from this disease is zero. However, we must remain vigilant about this matter as both Chikungunya and Zika viruses spread through Aedes mosquitoes,” said the DGHS DG.
He also urged all to remain aware of the two diseases and keep houses neat and clean. “There is no reason to be much worried over Zika and Chikungunya,” he said.
Mentioning that the dengue cases and deaths are higher compared to other times of the year, Dr Zafar said dengue is not being given proper attention, causing a rise in the number of fatalities.
Dengue cases continue to rise during this period due to climate change, he said.
Patients infected with dengue do not come to the hospital unless the condition deteriorates and so
they go into shock in a very short time, he said.
The mortality rate is rising due to the delay in seeking hospital care, he added.
The highest number of deaths from dengue is recorded in Dhaka among people aged between 20 to 40, while in Chattogram, the mortality rate is comparatively higher among children than elderly people, he said.
Bp-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
