Controlling dengue is difficult without public awareness and participation, Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam has said.
“The government and city corporations are working sincerely to deal with the current dengue situation, but everyone should work together to fight the disease,” he said after visiting the DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday.
“DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital now treats dengue patients. Currently, 150 dengue patients are being treated at the hospital and 400 more beds are available,” he added.
The minister also said that due to climate change, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have been affected more than Bangladesh.
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“This year the weather is different than before. Now the dengue outbreak is increasing due to intermittent rains, making things more difficult. In general dengue cases see a fall during this time of the year,” he added.
Md Tajul Islam also noted that Dhaka city corporations are doing their best to control the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. “All kinds of support are being provided to them by the government, including money allocation, manpower, and the magistrates to conduct drives.”
Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam said: "Dengue patients are being treated at DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital. It is open to all.”
He added that the Covid-19 patients and dengue patients are being treated in separate zones and the hospital has enough beds.
On October 30, LGRD minister said Bangladesh's neighbouring countries are suffering more from dengue outbreak.
The minister later said that till October 1, Singapore reported 28,196 cases, but the numbers have increased since then. “Some 37,950 dengue cases were reported in Malaysia, 94,355 cases in Indonesia, and 145,650 cases in the Philippines.”
On the other hand, the minister added that till October 26, Bangladesh reported 33,923 cases, which is a lot less than most neighbouring countries.
The minister also said before 2019, Bangladesh did not suffer too much from dengue. “We did not have much experience with the disease. But after 2020, we understood the viral fever more and knew which sectors needed interventions.”