Dengue infection increased: Health Minister
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday said the number of dengue patients increased in recent months.
"Dengue infestation is much higher this year. We've received many patients and are treating them," he told reporters at the Secretariat.
He admitted that there had been "one or two deaths" from dengue.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is spread to people through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes.
Each year, up to 400 million people are infected with dengue, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 22,000 die from severe dengue.
Minister Maleque said he hoped the Dhaka city corporations would take proper steps to destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon said the medicines they are using to kill the mosquitos are "slightly less effective" but assured that the situation "is under control".
Dr Abul Kalam Azad, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, requested people to seek medical assistance if they suffer from fever.
"Consult doctors and undergo tests to ascertain whether you're suffering from dengue," he said.
Dr Azad said they have prepared a guideline for dengue treatment.
It is estimated that about half of the world's population is now at risk, according to WHO. There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1 percent.
Dr Azad said 2,626 dengue patients were hospitalised since January and many of them were later released. Currently, 551 dengue patients are being treated.
He said they are collecting information from 47 public and private hospitals daily.
