Already more than 1,500 deaths were seen in the country in Dengue this year spread by the aedes mosquitoes. However, the outbreak of dengue yet to be over even after its spreading season is ended. The seasonal post-autumn rain may increase the outbreak of dengue, the experts think.
Professor Kabirul Bashar, the entomologist of Jahangirnagar University, said, “The breeding ground of aedes mosquitoes is created in the dirty rain water-remaining. If the mosquitoes don’t get the suitable water for breeding, they will die. But, now due to the rain, they will get the needed water to breed. So, the dengue outbreak will last for another 40-50 to days.”
He said, “This year saw the highest infection and deaths in dengue. In 2022, the number of dengue deaths in the country was 853, and in 2023, it was 1, 554. However, the real number of dengue deaths might surpass the number recorded by the government. The dengue outbreak will be reduced after the rain stops fully, but its infection will continue throughout the year. In order to get free from dengue, everyone has to ensure that no rain-water remaining left in their house premises.”
According to the sources of the directorate of Health, on Monday, 1, 197 people were affected by dengue and five died. Among them, 286 people are infected in Dhaka, 911 are infected outside it. This year, 3, 02, 452 people were admitted to the hospitals due to dengue. Among them, 1, 05, 821 people have been admitted to hospitals in Dhaka, and 1, 96, 631 were admitted to hospitals outside of it. So far, 1, 554 people have lost their lives. Many patients have received treatment from home. The government does not have taken this into account. So the actual number of dengue cases is much more.
Famous medical expert of the country, Prime Minister's personal physician Emeritus Professor Dr. ABM Abdullah said in case of fever, cold, cough, headache, test should be done without showing any negligency. Patients are coming late to the hospital. Those who are already suffering from various complex diseases or are pregnant should be more alert over the matter.
He also said, “Those who are affected for the second or third time are more prone to risking their lives. If dengue is diagnosed, take liquid food with doctor's advice. In case of excessive vomiting, abdominal pain, go to the hospital immediately. Now there are more patients in villages than in cities. Doctors are providing dengue fever services in upazila level government hospitals there. They should consult to the doctor in case of fever.”
Dengue was first detected in Bangladesh in 1965. The disease was then known as Dhaka fever. But since 2000, the incidence of the disease started increasing. In 2022, the dengue situation was worse. The highest number of deaths in the country was 853 in that year. This was the highest loss of life at that time. Dengue deaths are increasing rapidly this year. So far this year, the death toll from dengue fever has reached 1,554. A new record has already been created in the country, breaking the old record in the death of dengue patients, signaling a situation where everyone needs to be very much alert and careful.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on November 21 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)
