Dengue becomes more lethal with changing behavioral features of Aedes

Experts warn of changing behavioral features of the Aedes mosquito, the main vector of dengue fever. They said that these behavioral changes--breeding and biting-- should be taken into cognizance for a more effective prevention and control effort against dengue.

They came up with the concern while addressing a discussion over preparedness to tackle dengue organised by BRAC and UHC Forum at Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium on Tuesday.

Among others, Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen, Director General of Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Akramul Islam, Dr. Mala Khan, DG, BRICM, Brig Gen Imru-Al-Quais Chowdhury, Chief Health Officer of DNCC, Akramul Islam, Senior Director of Health and Humanitarian Crisis Management in Brac, Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President, Municipal Association of Bangladesh (the national body of municipal mayors) and Dr. Shabana Roze Chowdhury, Public Health Consultant, Government of West Bengal, India (by video) attended the programme.

Addressing the event, Samanta Lal Sen has called for greater awareness to prevent dengue, saying he knows the pain of losing a loved one to the disease caused by mere mosquito bites because his mother died from the illness.    

He said all should work together and give special attention to the prevention of the disease.

Addressing the discussion, Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said there is no urban primary health care center in Dhaka.

"If this can be arranged, it will be possible to treat many patients easily. If there was urban health care, common patients could get treatment there."

"But it is seen that all the patients go directly to the big hospital. Due to this, there is a delay in getting services for those who need urgent treatment," he added.

Entomologist Dr Kabirul Bashar, one of the panel discussants, said Aedes mosquitoes can now breed in various types of water including clean and dirty water. They are now biting at night in addition to during the day.

He mentioned that rapid urbanization and uncontrolled light pollution contribute to mosquito adaptation. The intensity of artificial light means the fatal bite is happening at night also. And so, the menace is not restricted to cities but has spread to villages as well, he added.

According to the researcher, infection with one stereotype (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) does not provide immunity against others, and subsequent infections with different stereotypes can be life-threatening. Due to the viral nature of dengue, there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available, making its control challenging.

Line Director of Communicable Diseases Control, Dr Sheikh Daud Adnan highlighted the activities government healthcare facilities have taken as preparation to prevent and control the dengue crisis if emerges.

He said during the dengue crisis last year, blood transfusions became a major concern. So, along with keeping government hospitals including tertiary level medical college hospitals, district hospitals, and upazila 33 blood transfusion centre are readied to tackle the situation.

In the program, Dr Mala Khan shared the innovation of a domestically developed dengue testing kit again and drew attention of the health minister to approve it in a quicker time to make the testing cheaper.

In response, Dr Samanta Lal Sen said although they are now focusing on providing treatment to all dengue-affected people, prevention of the crisis would be the upper need. So, to prevent the spreading of the virus, the ministry will also collaborate with local government, especially the city corporations.

Saying every hospital should keep enough stock of saline solution, the minister utters stern action against those who will cause saline crisis during a dengue endemic.

He said if anybody or any pharmaceutical is involved in such a syndicate, they won’t be spared.