46 more cases in 24hrs

At least 46 dengue cases were reported in the capital in the last 24 hours as of 6:00pm yesterday, bringing this year's total to 1,507.

The period before saw 62 cases as per the Directorate General of Health Services' Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit.

Four have already died in the peak season, August and September, CDC Deputy Director Dr Raushan Alam Khan Chowdhury told The Daily Star yesterday.

Last year there were 375 cases with no fatalities reported. Medical experts blame the surge on intermittent rainfall and high temperatures in the rapidly urbanised Dhaka.

World Health Organization says there is no vaccine or specific medication for dengue fever but early detection and proper medical care can keep case-fatality rates below 1 percent.

Mosquito species like Aedes aegypti albopictus transmit dengue virus to human through bites and breed in freshwater standing still. Experts suggest cleaning households and surroundings, and disposing empty bottles, containers and waste.

"We are in the process of engaging the mayors, ward councillors and NGOs to hold public rallies (to raise awareness) shortly after the Eid-ul-Azha," said Dr Raushan.

Dhaka South City Corporation has a board meeting today where CDC would seek cooperation from ward councillors, he said, adding that their plans include holding rallies in the 57 ward councils.

Prof Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, chairman of Rabies in Asia Foundation's Bangladesh chapter, said he held a meeting at the capital's National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine to mobilise NGOs and citizen organisations for rallies after Eid.

The CDC has meanwhile sent a letter asking the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh to ensure the destruction of breeding spots at construction sites.

With dengue spreading in India, Dr Raushan said bordering upazila health complexes have been alerted. "If anybody is found with fever, they will be advised to drink more fluid and visit a doctor," he added.

According to NDTV, at least 3,791 cases of dengue were reported in Delhi this year as of yesterday. The official death toll is 17 but the unofficial one stands at over 20.

The Manila Bulletin reported yesterday that the Philippine's Cavite province declared a state of calamity due to dengue prevalence in its seven districts where at least 16 died out of 3,652 dengue cases between January and September.