Dengue death toll rises to 106 with 6 more deaths

Staff Reporter :
Six more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 106 this year.
During the period, 1,424 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General Professor Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam on Sunday said there is no need to declare a “public health emergency” over the spread of dengue yet.

Meanwhile, the health ministry on Sunday outlined five directives on curbing dengue. It included, keeping surrounding clean from stagnant water and using mosquito nets and mosquito repellents and tests in case of infecting with fever.

“We don’t think that we have yet reached the state of needing to announce a public health emergency regarding dengue outbreak. We have made such a declaration in the past when the Covid-19 situation was severe in the country. It may well be that we will have to do so again,” the DG of the DGHS said during a virtual press conference.
Khurshid Alam, however, warned that if the number of dengue patients or dengue infections in the country continues to rise, it could lead to a health emergency.
“Hospitals of the country had vacant beds, but they are gradually filling up. We have arranged for additional beds. The dengue outbreak is increasing at an alarming rate in the country. We are providing medical services. However, if the infection continues to increase, we too will face a crisis. But so far, we have had no issues treating dengue patients,” the DG said.
“We have conveyed our anxiety, and we are also taking into consideration the advice given to us,” he said.

Health Services Division Secretary Dr Md Anwar Hossain Howlader said, “Dengue has been prevalent in our country since 2000. There is a standard protocol for managing dengue. Following this protocol, it is possible to reduce casualties from the disease.”

He also spoke about the challenges faced in managing severe cases, commonly known as “shock” patients, and the attempts to prevent conditions from reaching such situation.
The Secretary further advised that individuals should promptly get a dengue test upon the onset of a fever.
He said that if the test is negative, there is no cause for concern.
In case of the test comes back positive for dengue, he highlighted the necessity for prompt management of the patient, which can be done both in a hospital or at home. He said, “Everything is beyond our control. We will continue to analyse the situation.”