When will we take dengue seriously?

In Bangladesh, dengue generally turns epidemic during the monsoon. Around this time of the year, rain water accumulates in places and Aedes mosquitoes, carriers of dengue virus, grow and breed there. But this year, unusual spread of dengue has been noticed even in winter and early summer. The number of hospitalised dengue patients is increasing particularly in Dhaka city. However, the news of infection of dengue infection is also coming from Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Narsingdi, Barishal, Manikganj, Mymensingh, Lakshmipur, Kishoreganj, Khagrachhari and Satkhira. A total of 13 deaths from dengue this year show that we just cannot sit idle against this epidemic.
The responsibility of mosquito control in Dhaka city lies with the two city corporations. However, their efforts of eradicating mosquito's breeding grounds do not seem to have worked at all. The dengue outbreak has become a seasonal epidemic for us. Every year, it claims dozens of lives. But the authorities concerned have not yet been able to find a way to contain it. It is high time they looked for an effective measure to tackle dengue. I also request the authorities to regularly launch anti-dengue awareness campaigns in schools and colleges. If everyone takes part in the dengue prevention campaigns to keep their living spaces clean, remove standing water, and dump the discarded and damaged items, then it is possible to get rid of the dengue virus.
Badsha Faysal,
Jurain, Dhaka,
[email protected]