A. R. Salauddin Ferdous

Bangladesh is currently facing a dual threat to public health as both dengue and corona cases surge simultaneously. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), dengue infections are rising at an alarming rate, while corona cases are also rising. Although the death rate of dengue is higher than corona at present, both have become major threats to public health. Therefore, precautionary measures at the governmental and individual levels are now essential.

The severity of dengue is increasing day by day. In 2023, a record 1,705 people died of dengue. The situation has become alarming this year as well, which raises the possibility of it taking a terrible turn like 2023. This year, 5,988 people have been hospitalized due to dengue in the country till the first 15 days of June, and 30 people have died. Experts have warned that intermittent rains and waterlogging at the beginning of the monsoon season are increasing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, which could take a more terrible turn in August-September.

The dengue outbreak is highest in Barisal division, especially in Barguna, where hospitals are struggling to cope with the pressure of patients. On the other hand, the number of dengue cases and deaths in Dhaka is on the rise, indicating the weakness of the city's sanitation management and mosquito control activities. Along with this, there is a lack of public awareness, which further complicates the situation.

Though less severe than dengue at this stage, corona cases are steadily rising, with more than half of them residents of Dhaka. As a result, the shortage of test kits and vaccines is raising concerns. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, the validity of 1.7 million vaccines will expire in August. As a result, there is a need to urgently start the process of collecting new vaccines. As the new coronavirus variant (NB.1.8.1) has spread in India, it is important to prepare to prevent its spread in Bangladesh as well.

The overlapping symptoms of dengue and corona—such as fever, headache and body aches—make accurate diagnosis more critical than ever. Anyone experiencing such symptoms should consult a doctor and get tested promptly. Public hospitals must be equipped to handle both illnesses simultaneously with adequate resources and trained personnel.

But there is a big gap between the government's preparedness and reality. The Department of Health talks about their preparedness; the recurring crises suggest otherwise. Hospitals are facing shortages of platelet kits, medications, and beds. There is a shortage of platelet kits, medicines and beds in hospitals. A doctor in Barguna said, "There is no space in the hospital, so only emergency patients are being admitted." Mosquito control activities are also weak. Mosquito control activities are being hampered due to political unrest in the Dhaka South City Corporation.

Several steps need to be taken urgently to deal with this crisis. First, mosquito control needs to be strengthened. Local authorities need to remove waterlogging and ensure regular spraying of larvicides. Second, it is important to increase corona vaccination and testing. New vaccines should be imported, and the vulnerable population should be vaccinated quickly. Third, public awareness needs to be strengthened. To prevent dengue, it is necessary to prevent water from accumulating around the house and to follow masks and hygiene rules to avoid corona. Fourth, hospital capacity must be increased to address the rising demand for platelets, oxygen and inpatient care.

Public-private coordination and public awareness are essential to deal with this dual crisis of dengue and corona. If timely action is not taken in this crisis, the health system will be further pressured, and there is a risk of increasing the number of deaths. Therefore, it is important to take the right steps while there is still time.

The writer is essayist and columnist

former student at the Department of Statistics,

Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh.He can be reached at email ferdous5803@gmail.com