Dhaka: Experts have suggested immediately taking all preventive measures to tackle the dengue outbreak in the country before starting rain in full swing during the monsoon. Against the exponential growth of the dengue-borne Aedes mosquito, all the possible preventive measures must be applied appropriately, entomologists and public health experts said as this year’s weather conditions may play a role in spreading dengue.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, there has been precipitation since April this year, and if the temperature remains at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 30 to 100 percent, it will be very suitable for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. Jahangirnagar University Zoology Professor and senior researcher Dr. Khairul Bashar noted that dengue could spread in August-September this year. Since the beginning of this year, the number of patients infected with dengue has increased significantly compared to previous years. “This year, the dengue situation may be worse than in previous years,” he added.
ICDDR,B scientist Muhammad Shafiul Alam highlighted that hot temperatures, along with rains, may create a great scope for the spread of Aedes mosquitoes this year. He warned that the overall dengue situation could become quite complicated this time.
According to the Health Emergency Operation Centre at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), as of June 22, 2023, a total of 8,150 dengue patients have been hospitalized in the country, and 32 have died. Although the number of infected people was relatively low in February and March, the number of cases was gradually increasing. In January, 1,161 people were infected with dengue, while 374 in February, 336 in March, 701 in April, 1,773 in May, and 3,802 in the first 23 days of June this year. As of June 23, 34 people have died of dengue, with deaths occurring throughout the year.
A study by the Insect Rearing and Experimental Station (IRES) at Jahangirnagar University found that the density of Aedes mosquitoes has increased in Dhaka city. The Breteau Index (BI), a tool used to assess mosquito larval density, particularly for Aedes mosquitoes, indicates that if the index scores above 20 in any area, it is considered highly risky for dengue. Currently, in many areas of the capital, the index exceeds 50.
An IEDCR survey revealed that the larvae of Aedes mosquitoes were found in about 59 percent of multi-storey buildings in Dhaka this year, compared to 42 percent last year. Outside Dhaka, the most at-risk districts are Jhenaidah (60%), Magura (55.56%), Pirojpur (20%), and Patuakhali (19.26%). Out of 270 houses inspected in Jhenaidah, 162 containers were found positive with larvae, while 150 were found in Magura, 54 in Pirojpur, and 52 in Patuakhali.
DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Abu Zafar acknowledged that dengue is a multidisciplinary challenge and emphasized that the DGHS cannot control it alone. He noted that the responsibility of dealing with dengue is actually multidisciplinary, with local government and city corporations as partners. “We mainly look after the treatment of someone infected with dengue. Two organizations work on the entire process of controlling Aedes mosquitoes to prevent dengue,” he said.
IEDCR Director Dr. Tahmina Shirin stated that the Disease Control Unit of the DGHS has already taken initiatives to strengthen cleanliness drives and increase public awareness in risky areas.