Dengue continues to claim victims, causing panic in Bangladesh
In July alone, there were 5,500 new cases. The disease is caused by the dengue virus, which is carried by mosquitos found in open sources of stagnant water. The authorities are raising awareness and promoting prevention. Local Caritas staff is helping out.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Dengue fever continues to claim victims in Bangladesh. In July alone, more than 5,500 new cases were recorded. According to the Health Ministry, this is the highest number since the outbreak started.
So far this year, 10,000 people have contracted the disease, with at least 35 confirmed dead, including a Catholic doctor, Dr William Mrong.
In the capital, "hundreds of people" are going to hospitals every day, scared, showing the symptoms (real or imagined). The numbers are such that they are running out of beds for infected patients.
No one knows what the situation is in the countryside, where no such health care facilities exist.
For their part, the authorities are urging the population to do everything possible to prevent the spread of the disease.
Sources of stagnant water in vases, watering hoses and wells are the perfect habitat for the mosquito that propagates dengue, and must be eliminated.
Nirmol Rozario, president of the Christian Association of Bangladesh, said yesterday that "dengue fever is becoming an epidemic. The population is panicking; we must do more to prevent it.”
Edward Pallab Rozario, health coordinator at Caritas Bangladesh, told AsiaNews that all their staff is engaged in this battle. “Across the country, we have about 3,500 people raising awareness about dengue fever.”
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04/12/2010
09/02/2005
