Travel Health Advisory

 Dengue phobia comes back........too late or too early?

Situation Report # 31, Disaster Forum, 06-11-2003

(This "Situation Report" is also available in our web site: www.disasterforum.org)

 

Phenomenon of Dengue from last couple of years showed that usually it spreads in the time of June-August during the rainy seasons. This year the sudden out-break of dengue is seen in different areas of the capital at this particular time of the year. Dengue has broken out especially in Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Shukrabad and the adjacent areas. About 100 patients were admitted at different private hospitals and clinics so far with dengue. According to the newspapers two deaths in the city were recorded so far in this attacks of dengue.

Dr. Sadia Ahmed of Zoology department of Jahangir Nagar University said, the late and sporadic rains of October and low environmental temperature have helped the Aedes Mosquitoes to spread out in this period of time.

It becomes clear that dengue is gradually turning into an "all-weather" health hazard to the people of this country. In our disaster-prone country this menace had already created much trouble along with losses of life, would also create more damages if not prevented soon. The negligence of DCC (Dhaka City Corporation) to control the breeding and spreading of Aedes mosquitoes is one of the major causes of the spreading of dengue in the country. More attempts should be taken to control this havoc immediately to resist more attacks of dengue.

The newspaper sources quoted several physicians who advised people not to panic with the news of dengue while asking all to take initiatives to keep their dwellings and surrounding places clean and dry.    

 

Diarrhoea spreads out in other parts of the country

The dailies are still publishing news on diarrhoea which still continues at several districts. The attacks of diarrhoea are now spreading from the 'Monga' affected 'Northern' parts to other districts of the country.

Table: the cumulative situation of diarrhoea in the country

District

Upazilla

Affected (Approx.)

Death

Nilphamari

Sadar, Domar, Dimla, Jaldhaka, Syedpur, Kishriganj

60,762

66

Rangpur

Sadar, Gangachhara, Pirganj, Pirgachha

22,000

58

Panchagarh

Sadar, Boda, Deviganj

10,212

6

Lalmanirhat

Hatibandha, Patgram

300

11

Dinajpur

Sadar, Chirirbandar, Ghoraghat

3,799

11

Bogra

Shariakandi, Gabtoli, Dhunot, Shonatola, Sherpur, Shibganj

1,600

16

Gaibandha

Sadar, Shaghata, Fulchhari, Sundarganj, Polashbari

6,615

53

Kurigram

Fulbari, Vhurungamari

500

18

Noagaon

Raninagar, Mohadebpur

1,364

-

Chuadanga

Meherpur

500

12

Jessore

Sharsha, Jhikorgachha

800

3

Sherpur

Nalitabari

355

9

Madaripur

Sadar

88

-

Noakhali

Sadar, Companygannj

1,000

7

Jamalpur

Islampur, Dewanganj

2,000

35

Moulovibazaar

Rajnagar

100

1

Hobiganj

Chunarughat

400

8

Mymensingh

Sadar, Fulbaria, Iswarganj

300

12

Total

 

1,12,695

326

Source: Newspapers

It is to be mentioned here that the emergence of winter would worsen the situations of 'Monga' even more as people are still in a very miserable state. This would affect the overall diarrhoea situation of the country too as the hospitals and clinics are already overcrowded with patients whose numbers are still increasing. The attacks of the 'cold wave' in winter could damage this situation devastatingly if the usual phenomenon of winter cold diarrhoea breaks out caused by the Rota Virus.

Prepared by: Disaster Forum

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