“I think the dengue situation will be worse than ever this year; But the situation in Dhaka may not be like this,” says Professor Kabirul Bashar.
While the rainy season was once considered the dengue season, the mosquito-borne disease is now prevalent throughout the year. The number of people who have fallen victim to dengue at the beginning of spring this year gives a glimpse of another terrible year.
As of March 23 this year, 1620 people have been admitted to the hospital due to dengue, of which 22 have died. Never before have so many people died of dengue in the first three months of the year.
Looking at the statistics of these three months, experts say that the dengue situation this year may be worse than any time in the past.
Health Minister Samant Lal Sen has already instructed the concerned to keep hospitals ready as dengue patients are increasing.
Stating that it is not possible for the government alone to control dengue, he said on Tuesday that citizens should be active in killing mosquitoes. We have to work to make people aware in the ward, people have to understand.
Public health expert Dr. Mushtaq Hossain told bdnews24.com on Thursday, “The signs that are being seen now will increase the incidence of dengue this year. Management of dengue prevention has not changed. There is a possibility that the number of patients this year will be more than last year.
“Prevention, AIDS mosquito control and medical management are all three traditionally done. No sign of improvement, no confession. Organizations are putting the blame on each other. The outbreak of dengue cannot be prevented even this time if the government takes the matter seriously and does not take coordinated measures."
Dengue cases and deaths were recorded in the country in 2023. 3 lakh 21 thousand 179 patients were admitted to hospital with dengue across the country. 1705 of those infected died. Of these, 843 people were admitted to hospital till March, 9 people died.
In 2022, 62 thousand 382 patients were admitted across the country, 281 people died. Till March, 166 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. No one died till then.
In 2021, 28 thousand 429 patients were admitted to hospital with dengue across the country. 105 people died. Out of this, 54 patients were admitted to the hospital till March. Till that time no one died of dengue.
1405 patients were admitted to the hospital in 2020. 7 of them died. 271 patients were admitted in the first three months of the year. No one died of dengue in the first three months of that year.
In 2019, 1 lakh 1 thousand 354 people were admitted to hospital due to dengue. 164 of them died. 73 people were infected in the first three months of the year; Till that time no one died of dengue.
Analyzing the data of the Department of Health from 2019 to this year, it has been found that the number of patients available in the three months up to this March is the highest in the last six years; Deaths are also higher than at any time in the past. Counting patients in March alone, more than any time in the past.
Health Minister Samant Lal Sen has already instructed the concerned to keep hospitals ready as dengue patients are increasing.
The fear is beyond Dhaka
Out of the 321 thousand 179 patients who went to the hospital with dengue in 2023, the record year of dengue cases and deaths, 211 thousand 171 were admitted outside Dhaka.
According to the statistics of the Department of Health, the number of patients admitted outside Dhaka is higher this year as well. Out of the 1620 patients admitted so far, 568 were admitted in Dhaka and 1052 outside Dhaka. Chittagong and Barisal divisions have the highest number of patients outside Dhaka.
Dengue outbreaks were high in Chittagong and Barisal divisions outside Dhaka last year as well. This year also the number of victims in those two categories is high.
195 patients have been admitted in Barisal division this year, 95 of them are in Barguna district.
Barguna Municipality, Betagi and Amtali Municipal Areas have more patients, said Dr. Barguna Civil Surgeon. Mohammad Fazlul Haque.
He said that on Wednesday in the coordination committee meeting of the Deputy Commissioner's office, he informed about the fact that dengue patients are getting more. Also requested to take necessary measures to kill mosquitoes.
“Our hospital is ready to serve patients. But if we do not reduce the breeding of mosquitoes, there will be more dengue patients this time. I have requested everyone to take necessary measures to kill mosquitoes.”
Barguna Municipality Mayor Md. Kamrul Ahsan (Maharaj) told bdnews24.com, "The municipality has taken initiative to kill mosquitoes. But due to low allocation, the work cannot be done in full.
“Mosquitoes require a lot of money. But the allocation is low, due to which the entire area cannot be treated if desired. And there is a lack of awareness among people, that's why we are also working to increase awareness."
In 2023, more than 44 thousand patients were admitted to hospital in Chittagong Division. 124 people died. Among them 4659 patients were in Cox's Bazar district.
As of March 23 that year, 45 dengue patients were admitted to the hospital. And this year till March 23, the number of patients admitted in the district is 96, out of which one has died. Patients affected by Rohingya camps are not in this list.
Fahim Faisal, Medical Officer (Disease Control) of the Civil Surgeon Office of Cox's Bazar district told bdnews24.com, "More than 15 thousand patients (including Rohingya camps) have been found in Cox's Bazar district for the last two years. The health department is cautious as the number of patients is high for two consecutive years. Last week, the district development coordination committee meeting also requested to take necessary measures to control mosquitoes.
“This time more patients are seen than this time last year. Last year we saw that patients started increasing from certain areas of Cox's Bazar Municipality within the district. This year, I have not seen many patients in that area yet. The 96 patients who were admitted came from different areas. My personal opinion is that since there have been patients here two years in a row, there has never been a void; So mosquito control activities should be increased.
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