ED: Don’t underestimate the dangers of dengue

With the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc across the world, it is somewhat understandable that our medical resources, and our attention overall, are diverted towards containing and treating the coronavirus.

To neglect the risks of dengue, however, would be a mistake. The effects of dengue fever this year are just as vicious as previous years, and with our attention elsewhere, it is hard to predict the damage it will cause in the days to come. Indeed, it is too soon to conclude that the scenario will not be as bad as 2019.

In a 24-hour period, the Directorate General of Health Services has reported more than 21 cases of dengue in the country. Since January, there have been 1,155 confirmed cases of dengue, and now that we stand at the beginning of the month of December, we need to prepare for the frightening possibility of a spike in dengue case in the upcoming days.

Last year, the country saw 101,354 dengue cases, with 179 deaths. The dengue epidemic alone was enough to push the health care system to its limits. With dengue on top of coronavirus, we face a daunting challenge. 

Needless to say, the government would do well to realize that this is a problem that requires all hands on deck. The government and the private sector, then, would do well to work together in the regard.

We all know that prevention is better than cure, and so our best bet is to fight dengue at the source, so that our health system is not overloaded. The city corporations, to that end, have a grave responsibility on their hands. So far they have done a commendable job overall, but it may be time to step it up this month.