Dengue continues to sting Dhaka

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Jakia Ahmed
Published : 07:30, Jul 21, 2019 | Updated : 07:30, Jul 21, 2019

Only 347 people were infected in the two months of last year, but this year 1,864 got infected in May and June, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).The number of dengue cases continues to rise in capital with over 5,000 people diagnosed with the mosquito-borne infection since January this year.
The number of recorded dengue fever cases in May and June was more than five times that of the corresponding months of last year, and things are getting even worse.
Only 347 people were infected in the two months of last year, but this year 1,864 got infected in May and June, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
What’s more alarming is that in the entire month of July last year at least 946 people were infected but only nine days into this month, 1,182 people have already been diagnosed with dengue.
The World Health Organisation’s Bangladesh chapter has said on Saturday that the increase in the number of patients was at an “alarming level now”.
The number of people suspecting dengue should also be considered along with the number of people suffering from dengue, Acting WHO Country Representative Dr Edwin Salvador said while briefing the media after meeting Dhaka South Mayor Sayeed Khokon.
“It may be an increase because more people are coming to hospitals and they are being diagnosed,” he elaborated.
Mayor Khokon, however, continues to play it down.
The situation “is under control”, he said, adding that there was no reason for panic.
“It’s true that the number of cases is significantly higher than the previous years, but the situation in Bangladesh is far better than our neighbouring countries,” he said on Saturday.
According to the DGHS Health Emergency Operations Centre and Control Room, a total of 5,566 people diagnosed with dengue were admitted to hospitals until Friday.
It puts the number of deaths to five this year, but according to media reports at least 19 people have so far died.
The rising infection of dengue, meanwhile, created a serious panic among the city residents as no effective measures were visible yet to contain the situation.
The past year saw a record number of dengue patients since 2000. At least 26 people died of dengue and 10,148 were hospitalised with dengue in 2018.
Experts blame intermittent showers and lack of proper cleaning of areas for the increased dengue infections.
Relatives of the patients have pointed the finger at the two city corporations in the capital, but they refute the allegation of insincerity and cite slack vigil by the citizens.

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