Combating dengue outbreak

It is worrying to note that the number of dengue patients has been increasing in various hospitals both in the capital and neighbouring districts at the onset of monsoon. According to data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) control room, at least 462 dengue patients were admitted to various hospitals in the city from January 1 to June 14. Of them, 223 patients were admitted only between June 1 and June 14. Among them, two patients died.

Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Dengue is spread by two mosquito species-Aedes aegypti and to a lesser extent Aedes albopictus-both of which breed in stagnant water pools. The symptoms of the dengue are sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome.  In Bangladesh, the disease mostly breaks out during monsoon.  Waters lying stagnant on the premises of houses are the breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. Keeping households and surroundings clean and disposal of empty bottles, containers and waste are some of the best preventive measures against dengue.  

Due to ignorance and lack of awareness, many people suffering from the disease undergo wrong treatment that may imperil their lives. General physicians cannot handle the dengue cases unless they are specially trained to deal with the cases. Since most of the people do not know where they will go for the treatment of the disease, they have hardly any choice and they are bullied by unscrupulous doctors. The infected persons should be cautious in taking antibiotics. There is no point in becoming panicky over the current rise in the incidence of dengue fever. People should keep their homes clean and get rid of unnecessary containers so that mosquitoes cannot breed in there.

The government should take the case of dengue in all seriousness.   There should be dengue specialists in every public hospital of the country to treat the growing number of dengue patients. Besides, creation of mass awareness about the disease is a must.  

 

 

Combating dengue outbreak

It is worrying to note that the number of dengue patients has been increasing in various hospitals both in the capital and neighbouring districts at the onset of monsoon. According to data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) control room, at least 462 dengue patients were admitted to various hospitals in the city from January 1 to June 14. Of them, 223 patients were admitted only between June 1 and June 14. Among them, two patients died. Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Dengue is spread by two mosquito species-Aedes aegypti and to a lesser extent Aedes albopictus-both of which breed in stagnant water pools. The symptoms of the dengue are sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome. In Bangladesh, the disease mostly breaks out during monsoon. Waters lying stagnant on the premises of houses are the breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. Keeping households and surroundings clean and disposal of empty bottles, containers and waste are some of the best preventive measures against dengue. Due to ignorance and lack of awareness, many people suffering from the disease undergo wrong treatment that may imperil their lives. General physicians cannot handle the dengue cases unless they are specially trained to deal with the cases. Since most of the people do not know where they will go for the treatment of the disease, they have hardly any choice and they are bullied by unscrupulous doctors. The infected persons should be cautious in taking antibiotics. There is no point in becoming panicky over the current rise in the incidence of dengue fever. People should keep their homes clean and get rid of unnecessary containers so that mosquitoes cannot breed in there. The government should take the case of dengue in all seriousness. There should be dengue specialists in every public hospital of the country to treat the growing number of dengue patients. Besides, creation of mass awareness about the disease is a must.