HC stricture on dengue menace

We know that the number of recorded dengue fever cases in May and June of this year was more than five times that of the corresponding months of last year. A report in this paper in early July quoted the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) saying that while a mere 347 people had been infected with dengue in the two months last year, some 1,864 got infected during this May-June period. And while a particular city mayor may opine that the medicines being applied now are slightly less effective and that new tenders have been floated to bring in more potent medication, the question is, precisely what are the people of this city to do during the six months it will take for the new shipment of sprays to come in?

The DGHS has stated that dengue fever in Bangladesh is now an endemic disease. That means the dengue mosquito will remain active throughout the year. That being the case, is it not time for the authorities to start treating the fight against Aedes mosquito as a priority health issue? People are dying and we need more than words to keep our loved ones safe from this fatal disease. Hopefully, the cries of loved ones who have had the misfortune of losing someone close will reach the ears of those who have been entrusted with keeping the public safe from such a potent outbreak of the dengue fever.