Dengue cases hit 9-yr high

At least 1,930 dengue cases were reported in the last nine months, the highest in nine years, but the authorities are apparently slow in taking measures to prevent spread of the viral disease.

In 2006, a total of 2,200 people suffered from dengue. The number ranged from 375 to 1,749 a year between 2007 and 2014, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Ninety-three people died of the disease in 2000. But casualties dropped in the following years, as more doctors and nurses were trained to handle dengue patients, said DGHS officials.

This year, at least four people died of dengue in the capital where most of the dengue cases have been reported.

Medical experts say intermittent rains and high temperature and humidity create the ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the virus for which there is no vaccine or specific medication.

Dr Saif Ullah Munshi, associate professor of virology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, feared that dengue cases may continue to rise throughout this month.

"However, things are likely to improve once the temperature starts falling in November."

There are four serotypes of the virus -- DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. If one serotype infects a person, he becomes immune to it. But if he is infected by any other serotype for the second time, the infection might be fatal, he said.

In 2000-2003, the DEN-2 serotype was dominant. And people gradually developed immunity to DEN-2.

"However, we found the presence of DEN-1 in some patients last year and this year. If anyone gets infected with DEN-1, it could be fatal," he said.

Not only Bangladesh, neighbouring India has also seen a rise in dengue cases this year.

According to Indian media reports, 37 people have died of the viral disease and 25,000 dengue cases have been reported so far in India this year.

Experts say it's essential to keep households and the surroundings clean, and dispose of waste and empty bottles and containers to prevent spread of the disease.

They think the authorities have been lax in taking preventive measures and carrying out mass awareness campaigns to tackle dengue.

As there was a rise in dengue cases, especially in the capital, since early last month, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim at a meeting on September 20 asked officials of the DGHS and Dhaka city corporations to engage NGOs and community organisations in creating mass awareness about dengue.

A couple of days before the Eid-ul-Azha, Raushan Alam Khan Chowdhury, deputy director of Communicable Disease Control Unit of the DGHS, said they would involve Dhaka mayors, ward councillors and citizens in holding public rallies and concerts in all city wards shortly after the Eid.

But no such programme was held until yesterday.

Talking to The Daily Star on Thursday, Imdadul Haque, health officer of

Dhaka North City Corporation, said they decided to hold a public rally in the capital on October 14 to create awareness about dengue.

The two city mayors, ward councillors and government officials are expected to attend the rally.

He said the city corporations spray mosquito repellent in every ward in the capital at least once a week.

If it rains, the repellent loses its effectiveness, as rainwater washes away the chemical, he added.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman, director at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said the authorities should vigorously conduct drives all year round to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

Community mobilisation is very important in tackling dengue. If people keep their houses and surroundings clean, spread of the disease can be prevented, he said.

Buildings should be built in such a way that water doesn't get trapped in sunshades or any part of the structures, added Mahmudur.