An increasing number of patients infected with dengue, a tropical viral fever, are coming to hospitals in the city with 141 cases reported so far as monsoon rain is providing a favourable breeding environment for Aedes mosquito that carries the virus.
A total of 113 dengue patients were admitted to different hospitals in the city in July while 10 cases were reported in June, said Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research director Mahmudur Rahman on Monday.
Officials of health control room at the Directorate General of Health Services told New Age that 18 patients with dengue were admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka so far this month.
Benazir Ahmed, director, disease control at DGHS, said rainwater trapped in potholes or containers left in yards and places around dwellings were providing the breeding ground for Aedes mosquito.
Houses and yards should be kept clean and objects like abandoned pots, containers, spent tyres and coconut shells that could trap rainwater should be removed, the health experts said.
Mahmudur Rahman said, ‘This year the number of patient is still less than that of last year, but dengue cases are rising with the increase in the amount of rain.’
Generally Aedes mosquito bites in the daytime, but they also often bite at night, he said.
The breeding of Aedes mosquitoes takes about 10 days,’ said Benazir. ‘So people should clean their houses and their surroundings at least once a week in monsoon.’
It could check spread of the infection considerably, he said.
Benazir said they had organised training at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for doctor in July on effective dengue management.
‘A mass awareness programme may start after Eid,’ he added.
Experts said patients having fever for more than three days with pale pink rash on skin should visit a doctor.
‘No antibiotic is required to treat dengue patients. But temperature should be kept under control by taking paracetamol and sponging the body,’ Ahmed said.
‘But taking painkillers could be dangerous
for dengue patients,’ he said.
Last year, 1,350 dengue cases were reported by hospitals in Dhaka city.
Courtesy of New Age
