Drive against dengue

An outbreak of dengue fever in the country looms large. Already this year's count of the dengue victims has surpassed the previous year's to 750 by this time. Three of those patients have died. The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has rightly attributed the rise in the number of victims to the frequency of intermittent rains spread over two months now. The mosquito-borne viral disease proliferates if its carrier aedes mosquito gets favourable breeding places usually in clean water collected in a small pot or other containers such as broken earthenware, sliced half of green coconut or flower vase. That the mosquitoes are proliferating at a phenomenal rate and targeting their victims in an increasing number is made clear by the sudden rise of patients from 156 in July to as many as 583 in August. If this trend continues, September may witness a further increase of the number of dengue patients.

This special type of fever is no longer considered life-threatening. But unless detected in time and enough care taken, it can claim lives all the same. The authorities have already published a public notice detailing the do's and don'ts. This is appreciable but such public notices and health warnings should be published on a regular basis both in the print and on electronic media. Since following a few guidelines of nursing and rest rather than medication is more important, such campaigns count. The death of three patients is an indication that the patients and their near and dear ones were unaware of the disease or neglected the basics of nursing.

This is a disease that does not quite stand a chance of proliferating if enough public awareness can be created against it. The best way to fight is not to leave any chance for its vector aedes to breed or survive. It is common knowledge that the mosquito cannot breed in polluted water or in water that flows, but in water that is clean and stagnant. The sources of such water should be destroyed in the first place. This is quite easy. Residents themselves can look for such sources and eliminate the threat. Then in cities like Dhaka where population concentration is dense, ward commissioners or mayors can carry out a drive against sources where rain water collects and remains clean. Earthen pots can be smashed and coconut rejects turned upside down.

In this connection, further awareness on the part of people living either in urban or rural locations can be very helpful. Because the aedes  mosquito bites mostly in the morning and before sunset and during the time when light is dim, it is advisable to be extra careful during these times of the day. To avoid life-threatening infection, this is the least people can do. If aedes mosquitoes still proliferate, the best option would be to stay within a mosquito net during the sunset and at dawn. This may be necessary if the disease breaks out in an epidemic form. So it is essential to launch a campaign before it takes such an epidemic form.