AN INCREASE in dengue incidence, both in and outside Dhaka, raises grave concern, calling for early and effective intervention. At least four died of dengue while at least 319 others were admitted to hospital on July 22, Directorate General of Health Services data show. With this, at least 27 died in the first 22 days of July, the highest monthly death toll so far this year. In total, 69 people have died and 18,345 went to hospital with the vector-borne disease this year, of whom 8,049 went to hospital in the first 22 days of July. What is particularly alarming is the high rate of dengue infection reported from outside Dhaka. The Barishal division has recorded the highest 7,223 dengue cases this year, followed by Dhaka with 6,049 cases. At least 2,603 cases have been reported from the Chattogram division, 1,255 from Rajshahi, 826 from Khulna, 283 from Mymensingh, 65 from Rangpur and 41 from Sylhet. More than a half of this year鈥檚 dengue deaths have occurred in districts outside Dhaka.
An early onset of the monsoon season this year, coupled with high humidity, has created an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes, including the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti, while the absence of robust containment measures has allowed favourable breeding ground across the country. Residents in Dhaka, other cities and, even, in remote areas have complained that the mosquito population has increased markedly and city authorities and local government administration rarely spray adulticide or larvicide. Nor do they take effective steps to destroy the breeding grounds. In all cities, residents report that insecticide spraying has become irregular. The situation in small cities and towns is clearly worse. What is unacceptable is that while dengue has become a round-the-year threat and many countries have successfully contained the disease through comprehensive control mechanism, the authorities here have failed to ensure that even existing measures are carried out regularly and effectively. In addition to irregular spraying, there is a worrying lack of research on the efficacy of the insecticides in use. Experts note that city authorities continue to apply chemicals to which mosquitoes have already developed resistance. Another major weakness in control efforts is the failure to address mosquito breeding grounds. Furthermore, a general lack of public awareness contributes to the worsening dengue crisis.
The dengue menace is likely to take a heavy toll in the coming weeks as well if it remains unaddressed. The authorities should, therefore, act without delay to implement effective measures to curb the spread of dengue and to enhance the capacity of healthcare facilities to test and treat the growing number of patients.
