IEDCR team to investigate why district has become a hotspot

Despite efforts by the health department and local administration, the dengue situation in Barguna has continued to spiral out of control.

Barguna General Hospital was seen overflowing with patients, with many being treated on floors, corridors, and even beside nurse stations due to a shortage of beds.

According to Tajkia Siddikah, the resident medical officer (RMO) at Barguna General Hospital, 58 new dengue patients were admitted in the last 24 hours, with the current number of dengue patients undergoing treatment at 215.

The total number of dengue cases recorded this year across the district stands at 2,048, with five confirmed deaths.

Notably, this is 28 percent of the country's total dengue cases.

In comparison, 485 people were hospitalised with dengue in 2022. The figure jumped to 4,592 in 2023, with seven deaths. In 2024, there were 2,434 hospitalisations and four deaths.

Shortage of personnel is playing a role in how this spike is being handled.

Though the government recently appointed 10 doctors and 10 nurses to the hospital, only five doctors and one nurse had joined so far.

Out of 58 sanctioned posts, only 15 doctors were now serving, leaving a serious gap in manpower.

"Dengue cannot be eliminated through treatment alone. We must destroy the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes," said Mohammad Abul Fattah, the district's civil surgeon.

The hospital had allocated a 50-bed facility for dengue treatment, but it currently hosts over 200 patients.

During a visit yesterday afternoon, this correspondent saw patients lying in hallways, behind nurse desks, and on staircases. A single bed often accommodated more than one patient, along with multiple relatives.

Moreover, many patients like Ali Hossain and his son, both infected with dengue, reported that all medical tests had to be conducted at private clinics.

They also claimed they did not receive any hospital food since admission. Similar accounts came from several other patients.

While some beds have mosquito nets, most patients lying on floors or in corridors are unprotected. "There's no way to set up mosquito nets in these areas," one patient said.

Hospital Superintendent Rezaunur Rahman acknowledged the limitations.

"With over 600 patients in a 250-bed hospital, it's not feasible to provide meals or services to all," he said.

According to the civil surgeon's office, all six upazilas in Barguna have reported dengue cases. Among them, Patharghata has the second-highest number with 77 cases.

A total of 36 neighborhoods have been identified as clusters with more than 10 cases, based on data from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The most affected areas include Lakurtala, Sadar Road, Monsatala, College Road, Gaurichanna, Char Colony, Kachpatti, Town Hall, Thana Para, DKP Road, and Khejurtala.

Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, said, "We predicted this earlier. Last year, a survey revealed high concentrations of Aedes larvae in nearly 50 percent of water-holding containers in homes."

Unlike other coastal districts, Barguna's unique convergence of environmental factors, human behavior (such as storing rainwater), and the presence of the virus has made it the perfect environment for dengue to spread.

To investigate further, a six-member team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has arrived in Barguna to determine which dengue serotype is dominant, whether any genetic mutation has occurred in the Aedes mosquito, and why Barguna has emerged as an epicenter.

Md Tarikul Islam Limon, the team lead, said that discarded coconut shells, old tires, flowerpots, and stored rainwater in households provided ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

"There is no alternative to raising public awareness," he added.

According to the civil surgeon's office, the town has 41 private clinics, of which 14 had either not renewed their registration or had their licenses suspended. With the dengue outbreak worsening, these clinics were seeing an influx of patients for both treatment and diagnostic services. Some clinics had sent agents to the district hospital to collect patient samples.

"A lot of testing is happening outside. We are alert to ensure that no one conducts unnecessary tests or issues unnecessary reports. Last week, we held a meeting with clinic owners and warned them not to exploit the situation," said the district civil surgeon.

Animesh Biswas, additional deputy commissioner (general) and acting administrator of Barguna Municipality, said the administration has taken the dengue situation seriously.

"Insecticides are being sprayed regularly, and awareness campaigns using leaflets and loudspeakers are being conducted across the town," he said.



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