Dengue ‘Den-2’ variant more prominent now
The Den-2 and Den-3 variants of dengue are active this year and of the two, Den-2 is more prominent, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research.
According to experts, the dengue virus has four variants (Den-1 to 4), each of which is further subdivided into distinct genotypes. Den-2, which consists of six genotypes (Asian/American, Asian I, Asian II, Cosmopolitan, American and sylvatic), is frequently associated with severe dengue infections and epidemics.
Among the four, they also said Den-2 and Den-3 variants are more severe.
Mortality risks become higher if a previous patient of the disease is infected with a different variant. However, early detection and immediate hospitalisation can help lower the risks significantly, according to IEDCR.
"We have tested around 40 samples and found that Den-2 and 3 variants were more common among patients," said Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin, director of the institute.
Last year, Den-3 variant was more prominent among patients.
Being affected by Den-2 does not necessarily signal danger. However, cross infections are risky and may lead to more adverse effects if the patients are not hospitalised timely. Delayed hospitalisation is one of the major causes for the deteriorating conditions of dengue patients and their deaths,' she added.
According to the Directorate General of Health Service, 34 dengue patients have died this year, with the number being 21 in just June so far. Meanwhile, one dengue patient died and 305 others were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till yesterday morning. The total number of dengue cases this year rose to 4,908.
"Consulting a doctor and taking necessary medication are essential if a patient is diagnosed with fever. Patients should take in enough fluids. Coconut water, saline, home-made fruit juices and serbets will keep them hydrated while ensuring a supply of necessary vitamins and minerals needed to speed up their recovery process," she asserted.
Den-2 consists of six genotypes (Asian/American, Asian I, Asian II, Cosmopolitan, American and sylvatic). It's frequently associated with severe dengue infections and epidemics.
Cleanliness is also necessary to prevent the infections from spreading across. Dr Tahmina also urged people to make sure that their yards are clean and stagnant waters are removed following rains.
"Many gravely-ill patients with dengue shock syndrome visited the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital yesterday. However, there is a huge lack of resources and facilities when it comes to testing the patients and determining the variant they are affected with," said HM Nazmul Ahsan, associate professor of the college.
Conducting tests in RT-PCR labs is necessary if one wants to identify the variant. Further studies could also be conducted to know which cross variants are the most lethal. However, the facilities are expensive, he informed .
Severity is depended on several factors -- serotyping, genotyping and the sequence of the cross infection.
Echoing with Dr Tahmina, Dr Nazmul said, "Serotype sequence is very important for determining the severity, but we have failed to do this study so far. We have to attend many patients that are in critical conditions but we don't know which variant has infected them. This leads to further deteriorating their conditions and untimely deaths," he said.
Dengue symptoms include severe stomach pain, vomiting, breathing problems, blood in nose, gums, vomit or stools, weakness and a significant decrease in platelet counts. A patient with these problems should be hospitalised immediately as the infected one can reach a critical stage within 24-48 hours of showing these signs, he asserted.
Pregnant women and patients suffering from cancer or heart, kidney, and liver complications have to be taken under special supervision, said Nazmul.
Meanwhile, a mobile court yesterday imposed Tk 28,000 as fines upon visiting a construction site and several houses in the capital's Dhalpur.
"We fined the site's supervisor and four others as we found Aedes mosquito breeding at their premises," said Zahangir Alam, executive magistrate of Dhaka South City Corporation.
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