Step up the fight against dengue

There is no denying that dengue has reached alarming proportions in the country this year -- in the last seven months alone, some 6,500 patients with dengue fever have been admitted to various hospitals across the country.

In fact, the High Court has already deemed the situation in Dhaka as nothing short of an epidemic.

Understandably, now we are scrambling to handle to this crisis, but it would be good if our city corporations and health authorities understood that prevention is better than cure, and did the needful before it was too late.

It is now of utmost importance for every citizen to be aware of the symptoms of dengue fever, and how to minimize the risk of contracting it: Dengue is generally associated with extreme pain, physical weakness, vomiting, and bleeding, and symptoms are known to morph from season to season.

The weather that we have been experiencing has been an exacerbating factor for dengue in the capital city, as sporadic rainfall contributes to stagnant water bodies, and these places are the locations where the carriers of dengue virus can breed.

The city corporations, then, must keep the city clean, doing their best to stop the accumulation of dirty water that can serve as dengue breeding grounds.

Awareness also goes a long way, and citizens must be informed of all the steps that can take in protecting themselves against dengue: This includes cleaning up refrigerators, air conditioners, or any place where stagnant water can accumulate.

No one is safe from the harmful effects of dengue, and it is time for all of us to step up this fight.