Awareness on mitigating danger crucial : experts

Experts at a seminar in the port city yesterday stressed the need for enhancing awareness programmes on dengue so that people can learn to mitigate the dangers as there is no specific treatment or prevention for the disease.

They were speaking at an awareness and orientation seminar titled ‘Learn to live with dengue’ at the conference hall of Asian University for Women (AUW).

AUW Student Government and AUW Math and Science Centre in collaboration with Centre for Specialised Care and Research (CSCR) organised the seminar.

CSCR Director Dr Emran Bin Yunus, an eminent internist and nephrologist, in the keynote speech spoke about the specific challenges that dengue poses, as there are no definitive features, specific treatments or diagnostic therapy for the disease, according to a press release issued.

Dr Emran said eliminating dengue may not be scientifically realistic at this time. However, we can all learn to mitigate the dangers.

He focused on debunking myths with regards to the vector, various strains, common breeding grounds, transmission means and course of the disease.

Referring to common misconceptions and the spread of misinformation regarding dengue, Dr Emran, who is also a medicine faculty member at University of Chittagong, said, “As students, you have to learn to differentiate between logic and emotion, between science and philosophy -- so you can find solutions.”

He encouraged students of AUW to get engaged in research on dengue.

AUW Student Government President Umme Humaira gave the welcoming speech.

AUW registrar Dr Dave Dowland; CSCR managing director Prof Dr MA Kasem, CEO Dr Salahuddin Mahmud, directors Dr Ekramul Hoque and Dr Jamal Ahmed were present at the seminar, among others.