This year young people have been affected by Dengue the most; The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) says that the rate of affliction for those between 1-5 years is 7.11 percent, 5-15 years, 17.49 percent and between 15-25 the rate is a staggering 30.83 percent.
Former dean of medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and medicine specialist, Dr ABM Abdullah, says: “The reason maybe that young people go out a lot and are exposed more to risks.”
His explanation was echoed by director of Emergency Operation Center and Control Room, Dr Ayesha Akhtar.
“People of this age go to colleges and universities, and many also work, so they are exposed to risk.”
Chairman of virology at BSMMU, Dr Saif Ullah Munshi, adds: “Children are usually covered by clothes and the same goes for elderly people so their exposure is less; in addition, the skin of the elderly is loose and mosquitoes prefer taut skins and so, old people are not the targets.”
Many elderly people have better immunity since some had suffered from Dengue in the past, he added.
As per government records, 81 persons have died due to Dengue this year.