429 check into hospitals with dengue in one day

As many as 429 dengue patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours until yesterday morning, a single-day record for this year, as the total number of dengue cases crossed 10,000.

Currently, 1,167 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country, 853 of which are from outside Dhaka, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

The total number of deaths so far this year is 42 while the caseload rose to 10,296.

Experts have warned that immediate action is needed nationwide, particularly outside the capital, to control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

Entomologist Kabirul Bashar said stressed that the government must prioritise larviciding and eliminating mosquito breeding sources instead of focusing on fogging.

"Fogging should only be used in hotspots with confirmed cases. General fogging is ineffective, yet it's still the primary method used."

Bashar recommended using Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), which remain effective for up to three months.

"These should be used along with larvicides. In places where chemicals aren't needed, people must clean and overturn water containers to stop breeding."

He also highlighted the importance of public awareness.

"Without community efforts to remove breeding sources at the household level, dengue will be hard to control."

Regarding the situation outside Dhaka, Bashar warned that all 64 districts could face worse outbreaks than in previous years. "Aedes mosquitoes are now present in every district."

He urged the local government ministry to direct all deputy commissioners, municipalities and city corporations to urgently destroy mosquito larvae and breeding sites.

The ministry should supply IGRs to local bodies or allow them to procure and distribute them with proper guidance, Bashar added.

Entomologist GM Saifur Rahman called for a dedicated vector control department to manage mosquito-borne diseases scientifically.

"This department should handle cluster identification, surveillance and targeted action. Without a scientific and structured approach, existing efforts will not succeed."