Silent surge in dengue: Awareness is the only cure

Although the dengue situation is not as severe as last year, health professionals, experts, and entomologists warn that it could still become dangerous. They said raising public awareness is the only effective way to combat it.

Dengue patients are on the rise largely due to the inactivity of the authorities concerned amid the ongoing monsoon, Entomologists and infection specialists also observed.

The changing pattern and longevity of infection period is also raising concern.

What data is showing
According to the data from Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) with five deaths on September 10, the total number of deaths from dengue infection reached to 100 this year. Now the number of death is 102 till September 11.

Both the case of deaths and hospitalization are at increasing stage and following the trend the hospitalization due to the mosquito-borne viral disease reached to nearly 17,000 since January.

Of the deceased from dengue this year, 14 died in January, three in February, five in March, two in April, 12 in May, eight in June, 12 in July, 27 in August and 19 in the first 11 days of September.

However, Bangladesh recorded some 741 deaths and 1.51 lakh dengue infection cases by the same period last year.

Of the deceased from dengue last year, six died in January, three in February, two in April, two in May, 34 in June, 204 in July, 342 in August and 148 in the first 11 days of September.

It is mentioned that the number of total deaths in the month of September was 396, in October was 359, in November 274 and December 83.

It showed the peak infection period was October that is yet to come this year.

Public awareness remains the only solution
Head Professor of entomology department under National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Md Golam Sharower observed that due to current political situation dengue control drive did not get proper attention this year although the fact is that the effectiveness of the insecticides being applied for years is always not on mark.

Entomologist of National University GM Saifur Rahman said that currently, serotype-II dengue was responsible for most deaths and hospitalization. Based on the change in the serotype deaths and hospitalization might increase, he said.

Entomologists feared that dengue fatality might get pick in October as rain till continued. The dengue season might have prolonged to November if the authorities did not give proper attention.

Infectious disease expert and also former director of disease control at the DGHS, Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, said earlier the peak days for dengue infection was from July to October but that has changed and is now from July to November, even remain active in December.

This is alarming. Although the number of infection and deaths are lower this year, but it can make a jump in any moment. And in this situation public own awareness is the only solution. People need to clean their homes and surroundings every hour and should not let water staying for long in any place.

Meanwhile, Daud Adnan, recently appointed acting director of disease control at the DGHS said that they are hoping that the dengue will not come deadly and will continue its low trend this year. However, they are maintaining arrangement for the patients in the government hospitals. All the hospitals of the country have already been asked to keep their preparations.

Asked if the current situation fueling any hindrance to render services, he said there is some but in administrative level. Whatever, the situation is we are ensuring services to be provided in the hospitals at the same level as it was previously, he added.

Daud Adnan, the director of Health Service Management at DGHS, echoed Nazmul Islam Munna's statement, saying he isn't going to the DGHS head office because of the current situation there. However, he is managing the staff, especially the healthcare workers in hospitals, online to ensure services continue without interruption.

The hospitals have been asked to prepare extra beds to handle any changes in the situation, he added.