Two more dengue patients died in Dhaka and 242 new patients were hospitalized across the country in the last 24 hours. To put that into perspective, the only disease that can compare in terms of both infections and fatalities is Covid-19.
To say that this is unacceptable is an understatement. This newspaper had editorialized about dengue many times in the past. In fact, ever since dengue first emerged during the beginning of this century, the expectations of dengue have become synonymous with the expectations of rain during the season.
This should not be the case. With the two deaths, the number of deaths this year has risen to 61. 61 deaths that happened too soon. 61 deaths that were preventable. 61 deaths that have become routine expectations.
It has become clear that we can do so much more with hospitals. The government has to give emphasis on prevention. The two mayors have been speaking out against dengue for a long time, but aside from the using spray aerosol that might not have much effect in the first place, they have been relatively inactive when it comes to this issue.
Efforts to eradicate dengue hotspots have to be ramped up. The authorities concerned need to conduct country-wide surveys, and spot any place that might serve as potential breeding grounds. They have to be eradicated, and steps have to be taken so that new spots don’t pop up.
A hundred deaths a year quickly adds up. And these deaths are easily preventable. We need to make sure they are.
