By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The dengue epidemic in Bangladesh and the capital city of Dhaka is climbing steadily this season and despite the increase, officials are saying it is “under control” and to “remain alert, but not panic”.

Aedes aegypti/CDC

This is what Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon said after meeting a WHO delegation that included Edwin Salvador, WHO acting country representative for Bangladesh.

The WHO and DSCC will work jointly to face the situation, Dr Edwin said, adding that they will prepare a report after observing the situation and the city corporation will work on the basis of the report.

In the first 20 days of July, 3,960 dengue cases have been recorded by the DGHS.

Prof. Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, said people should keep the interiors and external environs of their houses clean, including the roofs. They should not let water remain in unused flowerpots, bottles, plastic bags and tires where Aedes mosquitoes often breed.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. Approximately, half of the world’s population is at risk and it affects infants, young children and adults. The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Up to 50-100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over 100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the world’s population at risk. Bangladesh is one of the countries that are affected by dengue viruses.

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