Bangladesh is witnessing a upward thrust in chikungunya cases as the nation continues to grapple with a frequent dengue outbreak.
The nation had no longer reported any chikungunya cases since 2017, when a first-rate outbreak prompted over 13,800 other folks in Dhaka to gape remedy within appropriate four and a half months, in step with the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Administration, and Compare (IEDCR).
This yr, 67 chikungunya cases and 11 cases of the Zika virus had been confirmed, says Prof Md Abu Zafar, director general of the Directorate Standard of Health Products and providers (DGHS).
“Most of the identified chikungunya and zika virus cases had been chanced on in residents of Dhaka. These infections had been basically detected at some stage in the prognosis of dengue sufferers,” Dr Abu Zafar added.
To boot to the DGHS data, chikungunya and chikungunya-take care of cases are also being seen at specialist clinics and deepest hospitals.
Doctors mentioned that over 100 chikungunya sufferers had been handled at Dhaka Crew Clinical College Health center closing month, whereas Sq. Health center handled higher than 300 chikungunya sufferers at some stage in the same interval.
Dr Ashraful Islam Irfan, a expert at Dhaka Crew Clinical College Health center, suggested TBS, “Pleasing now, we’re seeing extra chikungunya sufferers than dengue. Many sufferers are experiencing severe joint pain, which makes it involving for them to sit down down or stand. To boot they like other indicators take care of fever and rashes.”
He added, “The pain from chikungunya veritably improves within 7 days, but in some cases, joint pain can closing for up to one and a half months, and even up to 6 months. Painkillers are prescribed to sufferers. Since the season is form of over, we interrogate chikungunya cases to upward thrust subsequent yr.”
A survey on the 2017 chikungunya outbreak in Bangladesh chanced on that 95% of those infected in Dhaka had been bedridden. About 83% of sufferers skilled a low to very low quality of lifestyles and nearly about 30% lost higher than 10 days of productiveness on account of severe joint pain.
Warning of capability outbreak
Clinical examiners and scientists from the Global Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Compare, Bangladesh (icddr,b) are increasingly insecure that the unfold of chikungunya would possibly perhaps result in the next outbreak subsequent yr.
Their main venture is the alter of the Aedes mosquito, the frequent vector for each dengue and chikungunya infections.
Since October, icddr,b has detected 27 cases of chikungunya, along with in dengue-negative sufferers.
Dr Mohammad Shafiul Alam, a scientist on the Infectious Illnesses Division of icddr,b, suggested TBS, “There would possibly be a excessive likelihood of a chikungunya outbreak subsequent yr. The nation skilled a first-rate outbreak in 2017.
“Before that, cases had been slowly chanced on exterior Dhaka from 2008, and by 2014-2015, cases looked shut to Dhaka. This yr, many cases had been detected in Dhaka. Because the season is form of over, there is a chance of a first-rate outbreak subsequent yr.”
He added, “Zika, chikungunya, and dengue are all unfold by the same vector, Aedes mosquitoes. We would favor to enhance mosquito alter. City companies ought to take care of the manner to govern mosquitoes to motivate an eye on all three ailments. The mosquito is our frequent enemy, and it like to be eliminated.”
Virologist Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam suggested TBS, “The suitable manner to discontinue mosquito-borne ailments take care of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika is by killing mosquitoes. Since all these ailments are unfold by Aedes mosquitoes, we must always focus extra on eradicating them. We would favor coordinated efforts to acquire rid of Aedes mosquitoes, which is on the 2nd missing.”
To boot to the chikungunya threat, Bangladesh will likely be fighting a dengue crisis, with higher than 93,000 reported cases and nearly about 500 deaths this yr alone.
Ongoing efforts by metropolis companies
Dr Fazle Shamsul Kabir, performing chief neatly being officer of Dhaka South City Company (DSCC), suggested TBS, “Chikungunya and dengue are unfold by Aedes mosquitoes. We continue our mosquito alter efforts in opposition to every form of mosquitoes, along with Aedes, Culex, and others. Whereas chikungunya sufferers endure for a really long time, the death fee is form of about zero. We are responsive to this.”
He added that they face unusual challenges yearly and observe lessons learned. “We create a yr-spherical mosquito alter conception with enter from various stakeholders and authorities agencies. We also preserve shut advice from specialists on the model forward.”
Shamsul Kabir mentioned, “In about a days, we are going to have the flexibility to motivate a gathering to focus on subsequent yr’s mosquito alter conception. Representatives from icddr,b, the neatly being ministry, IEDCR, and other stakeholders will join. We are in a position to also preserve shut into consideration this yr’s experiences and mistakes to enhance the programme.”
Dhaka North City Company Chief Govt Officer Mir Khairul Alam suggested TBS, “Our anti-mosquito programme runs yr-spherical. If the neatly being ministry provides us with data on chikungunya cases, we are going to have the flexibility to preserve shut preventive measures. We also create a brand unusual conception every yr for the anti-mosquito programme, which comprises this venture.”
He added, “We habits mosquito alter efforts in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are breeding and put into effect special programmes to discontinue mosquito-borne ailments. Our intention is to make certain that no-one in the metropolis dies from these ailments.”
