THE dengue has taken an alarming situation in Bangladesh. This year, the country is witnessing the outbreak of dengue fever as most extensive and deadliest.
According to a report published in of this newspaper on Monday, the number of dengue patients in the first 10 months has exceeded 70,000. Of them, 278 people have died.
Not only that, the number of dengue patients has increased by 42 percent in October compared to September.
This shows that there is a lack of effective initiatives by those responsible to prevent the spread of dengue.
The number of the reported hospitalized cases of dengue patients was more than 300,000 up to October 31, 2023 and have 1,705 died.
In 2024, the number of dengue cases and deaths was also on the rise. That year, more than 100,000 people were infected and 575 died.
Entomologists have long been emphasized the need for dengue prevention. They said eliminating mosquito larvae is the easiest way to prevent dengue. But the reality is that authorities are not paying attention to this.
Every year, when the number of dengue cases increases, the authorities are seen to be somewhat hesitant. But by then, the situation has spiraled out of control.
However, pre-monsoon surveys are conducted every year to understand and address the dengue situation.
The survey found that water tanks were the most risky source of mosquito breeding percent.
In second place was water standing on the floor. Other breeding sources include plastic drums, water meter chambers, plastic buckets, flower tubs and trays, holes in plastic pipes, discarded tires, water channels inside houses.
And the highest concentration of Aedes mosquito larvae was found in multi-story buildings.
Entomologists also warned that the dengue situation could be worrisome, based on data from this year’s pre-monsoon survey.
Especially, since last January, an unusually high density of Aedes mosquito larvae has been found in various districts of the country.
Due to this, they feared that without effective dengue management, its transmission would increase at an alarming rate this year as well.
Meanwhile, entomologists have recommended that efforts be made to eradicate mosquitoes in dengue hotspots and destroy their breeding sources throughout the country.
Despite this, no significant initiative has been taken to destroy mosquito larvae.
Due to which the dengue situation in the entire country, including the capital, has become alarming.
Needless to say, this is why the country has the highest dengue mortality rate among South Asian countries.
