Dengue cases are rising rapidly in Khulna, Chittagong and Barisal, prompting the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to strengthen prevention measures and prepare hospitals for a possible surge in patients.
The health authorities have instructed city corporations, civil surgeon offices and hospitals to step up control efforts, arrange additional beds, open dengue corners, spray insecticides regularly in high-risk areas and conduct mobile courts.
According to DGHS data, 988 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the past 24 hours, while two died during the same period.
The latest figures have taken the year's total cases to 41,032 and the death toll to 113.
Khulna Division has recorded the highest number of cases, with 6,487 patients admitted and 19 deaths so far. Barisal has reported 6,379 cases and Chittagong 6,178.
Dhaka Division has recorded 6,017 cases, followed by Dhaka South City Corporation with 5,400, Dhaka North City Corporation with 4,895, Mymensingh with 2,267, Rajshahi with 2,230, Rangpur with 1,005 and Sylhet with 184.
Constant monitoring
Professor Dr Nurul Islam, director of the hospital division at DGHS, told Dhaka Tribune that the authorities are maintaining constant monitoring to tackle dengue and other seasonal diseases.
“Cases are comparatively increasing in Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong. So, directions are being given to the concerned city corporations and civil surgeons every day through Zoom meetings,” he said.
Authorities are also reviewing prevention activities regularly to ensure they are being implemented properly, he said.
Mobile courts have been ordered in areas with a high prevalence of Aedes mosquito larvae, while regular insecticide spraying has been ordered in the morning and afternoon.
Civil surgeon offices have also been instructed to coordinate their efforts with city corporations.
Dr Nurul said authorities at a meeting last week with all civil surgeons and directors and superintendents of government hospitals were instructed to arrange additional beds and ensure necessary treatment preparations if patient pressure increases.
Professor Dr Foyara Tasnim, additional director general (Planning and Development) of DGHS, said dengue testing facilities have been ensured at all government hospitals.
The maximum testing fee has also been fixed for private hospitals to protect patients from additional costs, she said.
Dengue corners have been ordered at government and private hospitals, while regular coordination meetings with divisional directors and civil surgeons are being held to monitor the situation.
As cases increase outside Dhaka, hospitals have been instructed to keep additional beds ready, she said.
The national guideline for dengue patient admission, testing and treatment has also been distributed among relevant institutions. Sufficient stocks of saline, diagnostic kits and other treatment equipment are available, she added.
Experts warn of rapid spread
Jahangirnagar University entomologist Professor Dr Kabirul Bashar said Aedes mosquitoes are present in almost all cities across the country, creating conditions for dengue transmission.
However, he said mosquito density alone does not mean infections will begin simultaneously in all areas.
“When a dengue-infected person enters an area, local Aedes mosquitoes can acquire the virus from the person and later transmit it to others. This is how the disease can spread rapidly within a short period,” he said.
Insecticide spraying alone cannot control Aedes mosquitoes because many breeding sites are difficult to reach, Bashar said.
He recommended using insect growth regulator (IGR) tablets at permanent breeding sites, such as water meter holes, which can suppress mosquito reproduction for several months.
Khulna steps up efforts
Khulna City Corporation Conservancy Officer Md Wahiduzzaman said an additional 155 spraymen have been deployed across 31 wards alongside regular larvicide and adulticide operations.
Morning and afternoon fogging is being conducted at designated dengue hospitals to prevent mosquitoes from spreading from hospital areas.
Cleaning of bushes, drains and canals, removing waterlogging and regular spraying are also continuing, including on holidays.
“We are carrying out morning and afternoon fogging in areas where mosquito larvae are likely to be found. Mobile courts are also continuing,” he said.
Khulna Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Md Shawkat Ali said medical teams have been formed in coordination with the city corporation.
Awareness campaigns are being conducted in areas with high infection rates, while upazila-level activities are also being monitored regularly.
A rally will soon be organized under the leadership of the district administration, he said.
Barisal, Chittagong intensify drives
Barisal City Corporation Conservancy Officer Muhammad Yusuf Ali said regular mobile courts, drain and canal cleaning, and joint drives with the health department are underway.
The activities are being carried out in line with instructions issued at a recent Secretariat meeting, he said.
The Ministry of Local Government has also ordered stronger preventive measures following the deaths of four people in a single day.
Yusuf said the number of cases may appear higher in institutional statistics because patients are often transferred from village hospitals to upazila, district and divisional hospitals, resulting in the same patient being counted by multiple institutions.
A high number of Aedes larvae have also been found in water accumulated in coconut and areca nut tree trunks in parts of Pirojpur. Special spraying is being conducted there.
In Chittagong, eight of the city's 41 wards have been identified as dengue hotspots through a joint survey by the city corporation, civil surgeon's office and health department, said Mosquito Control Officer Sarful Islam Mahi.
A 60-member special team has been formed and trained to work in the hotspots.
Another 192 areas have been identified as red zones, where morning and afternoon spraying, mobile courts and awareness campaigns through loudspeakers are being conducted.
Insecticide is also being applied within a 500-metre radius of the homes of dengue patients, he said.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in taking the necessary measures to prevent dengue,” Mahi said.
