Yearly fatalities from dengue have crossed the grim 500 mark for the first time in the country as 13 more deaths were reported from the mosquito-borne disease in the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
During the 24 hours, some 2, 070 more patients were hospitalized with the viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country’s death toll and total caseload from dengue now stand at 506 and 106,429, respectively, this year.
Of the latest deaths, eight were in Dhaka city alone.
Of the new patients, 857 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the DGHS.
A total of 7,825 dengue patients, including 3,580 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 98, 098 recoveries.
According to experts, August and September are normally considered peak months for dengue outbreaks, but the peak period was extended till November last year.
If the daily fatalities continue at the current rate, it is feared that the death toll from dengue will surpass 600 this month.
$100 million from WB
Amid the country’s deadliest-ever dengue outbreak, Health Minister Zahid Maleque Wednesday said that the World Bank (WB) will provide Bangladesh with $100 million to control the mosquito-borne disease.
He was briefing journalists after a meeting with the WB representatives at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
“Dengue should be brought under control. The WB will provide $100 million to control dengue. They will provide this fund to the Ministry of Local Government to control mosquitoes,” he said.
“We are offering the services whatever is possible to the dengue patients, there are many patients in hospitals. Some 500 people have died and over 100,000 people have been infected," the minister added.
Addressing the need for escalating the activities by city corporations and municipalities to handle dengue, he said 500 people have died of dengue as the situation could not be brought under control.
Urging all to behave responsibly, the minister said the death and number of dengue patients would not decrease if mosquitoes are not brought under control.
Dhaka mayors for cooperation
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh Wednesday said an anti-dengue campaign will be launched in red-marked areas to prevent the spread of dengue disease in city corporation areas.
"If more than 10 patients test positive for dengue in a week in a specific ward, that ward will be declared 'red-marked' and a day-long special combing operation will be conducted in the area every Saturday by the cleanliness workers with the help of local people," Taposh said.
He was speaking to the newsmen during an anti-mosquito drive at haka University.
"If the residents and owners of buildings and holdings are fully involved, our program will be successful. And right now, this is a big responsibility for all of us to fully eradicate dengue to protect our lives," he added.
Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam Wednesday urged the city people not to solely depend on the city corporation to destroy the mosquito-breeding spots.
“All needs to be responsible and sincere in this regard,” he told a talk show.
“We’ve to launch a social movement against dengue. The DNCC will perform its duties on this. It is not the time for a blame game,” Atiqul said, requesting the city dwellers to work in coordination to fight the mosquito menace.