Why so much negligence in dengue control?

The dengue situation in the country has become increasingly severe. On September 10, five dengue patients died in a single day nationwide, and over 535 individuals were hospitalized. This news has understandably caused widespread anxiety and fear among the public.

On September 11, a child infected with dengue was reported to have died in Chattogram. This brings the death toll for the month to 20. So far this year, 16,819 people have been hospitalized with dengue, and 102 have died from the disease. Among those who have died, 52 percent were women and 48 percent men.

The rising number of dengue cases is undeniably alarming. On August 20, World Mosquito Day, it was reported that the fall of the Awami League government led to the disappearance of the two mayors of Dhaka. This disruption has adversely affected the operations of the city corporations, resulting in a significant reduction in routine mosquito control measures such as larvicide sprays and fogging. Consequently, the mosquito population has increased, leading to a surge in dengue cases.

The current government has been in power for over a month, yet the mosquito eradication efforts remain inadequate. Regular fogging is no longer being conducted in many areas, and public awareness about mosquito control is dwindling. Furthermore, the city corporation’s mayor has not yet been elected, and many civic services have not yet returned to normal. As a result, city residents continue to be plagued by mosquitoes.

This problem extends to various districts across the country. With the rising number of dengue cases, patients are increasingly presenting with severe symptoms. Dengue now manifests in several forms, and many individuals initially fail to recognize the symptoms, leading to delays in seeking medical attention. Experts suggest that these delays contribute significantly to the high mortality rate. Additional factors include inadequate medical facilities nationwide, poor record-keeping of dengue cases, and inaccurate test results for diagnosing dengue.

Both the government and the public need to be vigilant about dengue. Without increased awareness and action, the number of dengue cases and related deaths will likely continue to rise. It is crucial to maintain cleanliness in all areas—homes, offices, courts, educational institutions, roads, shops, and their surroundings.

The government must implement more effective mosquito control measures to address the crisis. This includes regular and widespread fogging, as well as public education campaigns to promote mosquito prevention practices. Our goal is to prevent the dengue situation from worsening and to protect public health through proactive and coordinated efforts.