Ten lakh nine thousand five hundred and twenty-two families in 11 districts of the country were suddenly hit by heavy floods after the student-public victory reception on 5th August. The number of affected people is over half a crore. After the student procession, due to various levels of administrative vacant posts, the mosquito control program has been disrupted, and the amount of mosquito breeding has increased to a large extent. As a result, compared to July, the number of dengue patients has increased by almost 3 times and the number of deaths has also increased more than twice.
Again, the number of patients in the whole month of June was 798, which increased to 767 in 2 days of September. Which is really scary. On top of that, flood-affected people are at the highest risk of dengue as their immune system declines. The dengue-carrying Aedes mosquito is in their pick breeding season. As the extent of natural breeding sites such as broken roadways, submerged bamboo strums, leaf axles, tree holes, etc. increases after flood waters recede, so does the transmission of Aedes mosquitoes.
Therefore, an unimaginable dengue horror awaits the people in the flood affected districts. The analysis of the number of dengue patients this year shows that Chittagong Division (excluding City Corporation) is the most affected and the number of deaths is also alarming. Again, the treatment of dengue will also bring a terrible economic disaster. Out pocket expenditure is severely increased. All in all, an ominous signal is going on all over the country including the southern region.Now what can we do to face this extreme suffering.
The species of Aedes mosquito found in villages or forests is Aedes albopictus. Nowadays this species has become very strong. Both species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are spreading in parallel with the massive migration from cities to flood-prone areas for relief operations. Similarly, the dengue virus is also spreading at a high rate.
Therefore, mosquitoes in flooded areas are also infected with dengue virus and dengue outbreaks will continue to increase. In this situation it is urgent to take the following steps in consideration of the overall situation. * Distribution of mosquito nets is absolutely necessary while distributing clothes among the flood victims. * Distribution of mosquito coils while providing nutritious food is also very important. * Ensuring supply of equipment and nutritious food to take all necessary steps to boost human immunity. * Providing proper knowledge about breeding sites by experts to increase awareness. * All stake holders in consultation with each other, giving a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities, the decision to be made. * It is urgent to take action to destroy the larvae born in the water accumulated around the houses of those people who have started returning to their homes. * Local government units that are operational should be ensured participation in mosquito control activities by providing necessary training.
All the schools, colleges, madrassas, mosques, playgrounds, bazaars, temples, pagodas and places in the flood-affected areas should be kept clean. At the same time larvicides and adulticides spray must be done in case of necessary breeding sites. It is necessary to remember that this natural disaster is very dangerous for us from all sides. That's why it is very difficult but important to deal with it. So don't give up. Because there is some relief if mosquitoes are spread but not infected. But the situation seems to be that even uninfected mosquitoes are now being infected by the dengue virus and spreading dengue. So this complex relationship should be broken. We must ensure our safety. Even a single life is precious to us.
Medical centers in flood affected areas need to be well equipped to ensure the necessary services to dengue patients. In other words, along with the infrastructure development of medical centers, it is necessary to ensure the presence of specialist doctors.
Taking necessary measures to increase and confirm awareness among students before and after the opening of educational institutions. It is not only the government's responsibility but also individual one.
Preventing the spread of dengue by killing mosquitoes is the moral and fundamental responsibility of every citizen.
The overwhelming student society of Bangladesh has taught us many things. Students have been working like a watchman in every place with the interim government in reforming the country. They are excellently dealing with unexpected flash floods. If you go to TSC in Dhaka University, you can see how systematically relief materials are being collected and distributed to specific places.
After achieving such a victory on 5th August, this intrepid student society was able to deal with all the evil forces very efficiently. This is why the people of Bangladesh have high hopes. Therefore, we will definitely be able to properly deal with the eyes of post-flooded Dengue severity through the involvement of people from all walks of life, inshallah. This is what we expect from Generation Z.
The writer is Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine
