A new variant of dengue is now available in Barisal. Dengue virus remains in the body even after the patients recover. 87 percent of the patients are from villages. Doctors have demanded research on this matter.
So far this year, 3,500 people have been infected with dengue in Barisal. Among them, nearly two thousand people have been affected in the last one and a half months. Of these, 20 people have died so far, but 12 have died in the last 40 days.
Dengue treatment concerns these issues. After the diagnosis of the affected patients, they claim that more research is needed.
Barisal Sher-i-Bangla Medical College (Shebachim) Hospital Assistant Director (Administration) Dr. Md. Rezwanur Alam said, ‘We determine the dengue variant from the patient’s disease. This time most of the patients are suffering from classical dengue. They have fever for less time, but diarrhea, vomiting and severe headache are more frequent.
Even after the disease is cured, the symptoms of dengue are found in the patient’s body. It can also be caused by new variants of dengue. It is now a matter of research. Apart from that, 87 percent of the patients are found in the village than in the city.
A recent field study of Barisal Divisional Health Office found similarities with such comments of doctors. Dengue larvae were found in 6 of 10 spots recently.
The people who participated in the study said that dengue larvae are not found in certain places like abandoned tires, flower tubs or tin rice. Rather, the larvae are also found in the open clear water that accumulates in the holes of the felled trees. According to them, due to high rainfall, all the accumulated water is getting larvae.
Mahfuza Parveen, Entomologist of Barisal Divisional Health Office, said, ‘During our research we also found houses where there were dengue larvae on three to four sides. We previously found larvae in stagnant water at certain locations, but this time we also found larvae in stagnant water in pits of freshly cut coconut trees. There is awareness among the rural population about killing the larvae, but due to negligence and laziness they are not cleaning the water. Even if the water is cleaned, it is not done properly.’
Barguna district of Barisal division has the highest number of 11 dengue patients so far. The maximum number of 18 people died in Barisal Medical, but all of them are in rural areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts.
Relatives of the patient said that many patients are not able to come to medical or government hospitals, many people in the village are still suffering from dengue. One said, dengue was diagnosed after fever, followed by diarrhoea. The condition of the patient has become critical while looking at the two diseases at the same time.
Another patient’s wife said, my husband came to Barisal with fever from Dhaka and was diagnosed with dengue after testing. His whole body was sweating. While being brought from the village to the city for treatment, the patient became weaker.
According to the Divisional Health Department, this time due to heavy rains, waterlogging on the roads is seen as the reason for the spread of dengue. 1400 mm of rain has been recorded in the last two months. The health department is treating the patient, but concerted efforts are needed to prevent dengue.
Dr. Barisal Health Department Director. Shyamal Chandra Mandal said, ‘Since there are Aedes mosquitoes in Barisal, their reproduction is also high due to the waterlogging caused by heavy rains. There are more patients for good reason. Prevention of dengue is possible if we all work together. If you are aware, you will get salvation. The health department is working on it.
However, there is no news of taking or implementing any joint initiative to control dengue in Barisal.
