AMN / WEB DESK
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has called for efforts to control the mosquito vector population and minimize individual exposure such as using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothes as a significant surge in dengue fever cases has gripped Bangladesh.
The outbreak, which escalated rapidly since late June, has seen a total of 69,483 confirmed cases and 327 related deaths between 1 January and 7 August, with a case fatality rate of 0.47 per cent, according to the UN health agency. The cases were reported from all 64 districts in the country.
In July alone, 43,854 cases and 204 deaths were reported, accounting for 63 per cent of the total cases and 62 per cent of the deaths. The sharp increase in numbers is unprecedented compared to the past five years, emphasizing the gravity of the ongoing outbreak.
“The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high humidity, which have resulted in an increased mosquito population throughout Bangladesh,”
WHO risk assessment and advice
WHO assessed the dengue risk at the national level as “High”, primarily due to the escalating case numbers, high case fatality rate, and the extensive geographical distribution of cases.
The UN health agency called for integrated vector management (IVM) to control mosquito populations and reduce human-vector contact, including removal of potential breeding sites, reducing vector populations, and minimizing individual exposure.
Specific actions involve vector control strategies for larvae and adult mosquitoes and source reduction, especially of water storage practices, and include covering, draining and cleaning household water storage containers on a weekly basis, using insecticide-treated nets and indoor space spraying (fogging).
At an individual level, protective measures include topical application of repellents to exposed skin or treatment of clothing, and the use of long sleeves shirts and pants; use of household insecticide aerosol products or mosquito coils, as well as window and door screens, which can reduce the probability of mosquitoes entering the house.