HELEMUL ALAM

At a time when the country is already grappling with a record outbreak of dengue fever, the current active monsoon conditions may contribute to the further spread of the mosquito-borne disease this month, say experts.

Entomologists are now urgingthe authorities concerned to step up their anti-mosquito drives, which they say will help improve the current dengue situation and reduce the risk of the virus spreading next year.

Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), said intermittent rains accompanied by hot and humid weather will continue throughout the month of September, with the dry season likely coming in as late as October 15.

According to BMD’s weather forecast for the next three days, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions.

Meanwhile, data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) shows that at least 15 dengue patients died, and 1,876 were hospitalised in 24 hours preceding yesterday morning.

With this, the total number of deaths from dengue rose to 706 while the caseload went up to 142,587.

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