It’s December, why is dengue still around?

The number of dengue cases and fatalities have been much higher in December this year compared to that of the last four years, according to data from 2019 to 2022.

Although experts earlier predicted that the infection rate would come down with the approach of winter, new infections, hospitalisations and deaths are being recorded almost every day.

In December of this year alone, 4,397 people have been hospitalised with dengue fever, and 19 patients died till 8:00am yesterday.

A total of 1,207 patients were admitted to hospitals and seven died in December 2021, the data show. In December 2020, 231 persons were hospitalised but no one died.

In 2019, the highest number of patients, 1,01,354, were admitted to different hospitals in the country. However, in December of that year, 1,247 patients were diagnosed with dengue, and there was no fatality.

Contacted, entomologist Dr Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury told The Daily Star, "The temperature required for the survival of Aedes mosquitoes is still favourable."

He said there is still a prevalence of dengue as winter is yet to set in properly. However, with the drop in temperature, the dengue menace will decrease.

The entomologist, however, expressed fear that cases of dengue fever may rise further next year. "If the city corporations stop taking measures when the outbreak is over this winter, the dengue situation may turn deadlier next year."

Khalilur Rahman, a former entomologist at Directorate General of Health Services, said, "Winter is late this year, and the rainfall prior to the onset of the season has created favourable breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes."

Prof Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist of Jahangirnagar University, earlier said a national vector-control guideline and its proper implementation is necessary to control the Aedes mosquito population.

A separate institute should be set up to conduct research and regularly share updates with the agencies involved in eradicating the mosquitoes, he added.

The authorities need to continue their efforts against the spread of the disease and identify and neutralise clusters of Aedes mosquitoes, recommended experts. Besides, there is no alternative to keeping people's surroundings clean, they added.