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Dengue spreading fast to districts around capital
MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR and DIPAN NANDY
The dengue situation in Narayanganj, Gazipur and Manikganj has been deteriorating in the absence of adequate measures taken by the authorities concerned.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services, Manikganj saw a 155 percent rise in dengue cases from August 31 to yesterday, while Narayanganj and Gazipur saw an 80 percent and a 60 percent rise respectively.
During the same period, the number of cases throughout the country saw a 56.13 percent rise.
The rising number of patients has been straining the hospitals in Narayanganj and Gazipur cities, along with Manikganj district, which currently has the second highest number of dengue cases after Dhaka.
GM Saifur Rahman, entomologist at the National University, said the unplanned urbanisation has been playing a significant role in the spread of dengue in districts adjacent to the capital, as Aedes mosquitoes are getting suitable breeding grounds there.
“Many people come to Dhaka for work every day, and when they return, they might be carrying dengue virus back home.”
Meanwhile, there are hardly any effective anti-aedes or awareness programmes outside the capital, he added.
Though hospitals in the capital are already facing a deluge of patients, those from outside Dhaka, even in critical condition, are constantly coming in, according to health officials.
Kazi AKM Rassel, resident medical officer of the 250-bed Manikganj General Hospital, said they currently have 145 dengue patients, though they have only 100 beds dedicated for them.
DGHS data shows that in Manikganj there were 1,944 dengue cases until August 31, while the number stood at 3,009 as of yesterday.
Meanwhile in Narayanganj, there were 640 cases recorded till August 31, which rose to 1,152 yesterday.
In Gazipur, it was 2,023 till August 31, and increased to 3,389 yesterday.
Though a DGHS study found Aedes larvae in at least 14.28 percent of homes in Gazipur and 13.47 percent in Narayanganj, government measures to curb the infection have been lacking in those areas.
The study was conducted between July 23 and 28 in 41 wards of Gazipur city, and between July 30 and August 3 in 27 wards in Narayanganj city.
Narayanganj Civil Surgeon AFM Musiur Rahman expressed concern over the daily spike in dengue patients.
“If dengue transmission is not controlled, the situation may worsen.”
Abdul Aziz, acting chief executive officer of Narayanganj City Corporation, said the areas identified to have mosquito breeding grounds are regularly being treated with larvicide and adulticide and regular fogging is being conducted.
Madan Chandra Das, inspector of waste management for the Gazipur City Corporation, said they have ward councilors in charge of mosquito control. “We are unable to take further measures due to a shortage of manpower.”
Ramzan Ali, mayor of Manikganj municipality, said they are conducting regular fumigation activities and awareness programmes.
(Our Narayanganj, Gazipur and Manikganj correspondents contributed to this report.)