Dengue fever has become a yearly concern in Bangladesh, with Dhaka being hit hardest due to its dense population. Recent data shows Dhaka leading in hospital admissions, with nearly 1,000 patients admitted in a single day in mid-October and over 300 new cases daily in the city’s northern and southern areas. This surge in infections is overwhelming the healthcare system, highlighting its lack of readiness for large-scale mosquito-borne diseases.
So, what can we do to take precautions against dengue? A small checklist of handy tools can go a long way in battling against dengue. You can even carry these with you in your school or office bags –
1. Insect Repellent: To protect individuals from mosquito bites, which are the primary means of transmission for the Aedes mosquito that carries the dengue virus. Simply an odomos can be very handy.
2. Mosquito nets: especially for children and elderly people, to prevent nighttime bites.
3. Larvicides and Insecticides: To reduce the mosquito population by targeting their breeding grounds. This is crucial in areas where stagnant water—a common feature in Dhaka—provides ideal breeding sites.
4. Diagnostic Tools: Simple, quick diagnostic tools such as NS1 antigen tests allow for early detection of dengue fever. Early diagnosis is key to preventing severe cases.
5. Rehydration Solutions: Dengue fever often leads to dehydration due to high fever and vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions can be life-saving, especially when hospital facilities are overburdened.
6. Educational Material: Informational brochures or leaflets that educate the public on the symptoms of dengue, prevention strategies, and the importance of seeking medical help early. Public awareness is often a missing link in managing dengue outbreaks effectively.
“Prevention is better than cure.” The whole society’s approach towards dengue can lessen the spread of it. Awareness and conscious effort from all walks of people in Dhaka city can be a game changer. It’s a war against the outcome of an unhygienic situation created by us. We have to fight back. Shall we start our journey by buying dengue tools that are available around us?