7 days, over 17,000 cases
At least 17,651 dengue patients were hospitalised in the first week of August, which is five times higher than the number of cases in the first week of July and 24 times of that in June.
A total of 3,320 and 698 cases were recorded in July and June respectively.
The number of dengue cases this month will be much higher than that of July, which was 43,854, fear experts.
According to Directorate General of Health Services, 14 dengue patients died while 2,751 others were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till yesterday morning.
With the new cases, 69,483 dengue patients have been hospitalised so far this year, while the total number of deaths rose to 327.
Contacted, Entomologist Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University said, "Aedes mosquitoes will lay eggs where ever it finds accumulated rainwater. Eventually, these spots will transform into breeding grounds. During field visits, I found a neglecting attitude when it comes to identifying and destroying the sources."
Bashar urged for a collaborative effort by locals, organisations, and government bodies to destroy such sources. He said not all offices and institutions are taking proper measures to reduce mosquito breeding sources.
A few days ago, two other entomologists shared their concern over the ongoing intermittent rains, particularly in the capital.
"Aedes mosquitoes has already laid huge number of eggs in different containers, those will hatch now, thanks to the rain. This will worsen the situation," said GM Saifur Rahman, assistant professor of medical and applied entomology at National University.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Jahangirnagar University and Dhaka North City Corporation to enhance research and chalk out ways to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes.
"Based on the agreement, we will identify mosquito varieties to help the authorities know about the type of mosquitoes present in different areas," said Prof Basher.
The research team will also investigate the density of those mosquitoes creating 10 sentinel sites in 10 DNCC zones. This work will continue round the year, he added.
Besides, reports on the effectiveness of the mosquito repellents the city corporations are using will be made and shared with the mayors, he said.
Contacted, DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam said the work has not commenced yet but is in process.
"We have also formed a committee at ward level under the leadership of ward councillors who will provide a report fortnightly," he said.
Meanwhile, mobile courts of Dhaka South City Corporation yesterday fined Tk 28,000 in eight cases after larvae were found at eight spots, including the Fulbaria Karmachari Hospital.
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