Published on 12:00 AM, August 05, 2021

Dengue rings alarm

237 hospitalised in 24hrs; situation akin to 2019: DGHS

As dengue cases keep rising sharply in the capital, Dhaka North City Corporation’s anti-dengue campaign is on full-swing to contain the threat. Mayor Atiqul Islam visited Bhatara area of the capital yesterday, and marked buildings where Aedes mosquito larvae were found. He urged citizens to all join hands in keeping their houses and surroundings clean. PHOTO: COLLECTED
Staff Correspondent

The dengue situation could turn alarming again and it will be possible to face the situation if necessary measures are taken immediately, said spokesperson of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Md Nazmul Islam.

Dr Nazmul, director (disease control) of the DGHS said they have seen over the last few years that the dengue situation has become extremely alarming from time to time.

"We have seen the dengue epidemic in 2019, and in 2021 we are in a similar situation," said Nazmul.

His comment came at a time when the country has seen 1,025 dengue infected cases only in four days.

At least 237 people with dengue fever were admitted to hospitals in the country during 24 hours till 8am yesterday, of which only 16 are from outside Dhaka.

A total of 2,286 people were hospitalised with dengue in July,  272 in June and 43 in May, showing a sharp rise in cases.

A total of 3,683 patients have been hospitalised with dengue this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the total infected, only 118 are from outside Dhaka.

Though most of the patients who were hospitalised have so far been released, 1,058 are still undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka, and 54 outside the capital, DGHS data shows.

LEND ALL YOUR HANDS: DNCC MAYOR

Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Md Atiqul Islam yesterday urged one crore people of Dhaka extend their two crore hands to clean their homes and yards to control Aedes mosquito, the carrier of dengue and chikungunya.

Addressing an awareness programme in Bhatara area, the DNCC mayor said it is not the duty of mayors alone to protect the city, rather everyone will have to play a responsible role.

Urging everyone to spend 10 minutes every Saturday cleaning houses and yards to destroy breeding sources of Aedes mosquitoes, he said everyone will have to come forward to protect themselves.

He said they have arranged free testing facilities of dengue virus at 46 city health centers of DNCC.

Meanwhile, mobile courts of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) yesterday fined Tk 2.28 lakh to the 23 owners of under construction buildings and houses.

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