Dengue was first spotted in the country in 2000. Till 2018, the number of affected is 50,076. But in 2019 alone, the number has exceeded the total of eighteen years. As per government statistics, from January till Aug 23, 610,038 persons infected with of Dengue. Of this, 47 persons have died. But it’s felt that this number may rise till September.
To prevent the rise, specialists feel the need to kill mosquitoes.
Specialists have identified several reasons for the spread of Dengue: transformation of the Dengue virus, temperature of Bangladesh, lack of awareness, ineffective repellent, absence of proper surveillance over breeding areas etc.
Director of the health department, Professor Dr Sania Tahmina, says: “Dengue is an endemic disease; now the treat is year-long. Last year there were Dengue patients from November till February.”
The temperature in Bangladesh is always around 25 degrees Celsius which facilitates the breeding of mosquitoes.
Epidemiologist Dr Mahmudur Rahman, says: “The rise has been gradual; the repellents were not effective for more than a year and in addition, Dengue virus has evolved which has increased severity.”
Former dean of BSMMU, Dr A B M Abdullah, adds: “Mosquito termination has been insufficient compared to breeding.”
Programme manager of Dengue and Malaria campaign of the health department, Dr MM Akhtaruzzaman, said: “Rainfall, compared with humid conditions, aid the breeding of mosquitoes. We also did not have the resources to stop breeding.”
“The faulty design of WASA, sewerage lines are responsible too.
In 2017, as many as 2,769 were affected by Dengue with 8 deaths, which rose to 10,148 in 2018 and 26 deaths.