The only way to fight dengue is to prepare pro-actively

A recent pre-monsoon survey by the Directorate General of Health Services, conducted from April 17 to April 26, paints a grim picture: If we are not pro-active with combating dengue, with the monsoon season approaching, this year could be even worse for Bangladesh.

With last year claiming over 1700 lives, 2023 was the deadliest dengue outbreak in Bangladesh history. However, according to data from the DGHS), 2,795 dengue patients have been hospitalized across the country by May 28, while 35 have died. The number of dengue deaths till May last year was 13.

It is plain to see that the threat of dengue is already escalating, and we need a collective response, not just from the authorities concerned, but also from the collective citizenry to comprehend just how serious a threat dengue has become for us. 

While the authorities must prioritize control measures and prevention of dengue by identifying and eliminating breeding sites along with promoting public awareness campaigns, citizens too should take pro-active steps to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, regularly removing stagnant water sources, and properly disposing of discarded containers that could serve as potential breeding grounds.

Dengue has become among the biggest yearly threats to the well-being of our nation. Yet, our experience with numerous dengue outbreaks in the recent past should have taught us the lessons to guide our preparedness efforts. It is only by addressing the root causes and adopting a pro-active approach can we begin to mitigate the impact of the impending dengue threat and safeguard the well-being of our citizens.