Early awareness will reduce dengue outbreak: Hassan Ariff

Dengue outbreaks would be reduced if people become aware of the mosquito-borne disease from the very beginning of the dengue season, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Affairs Adviser AF Hassan Ariff said today (24 September). 

"Whenever outbreaks are on the rise, we become impatient. But, if steps are taken from the very beginning of the dengue season, outbreaks of the seasonal disease will be reduced to a great extent," he said while talking to journalists after inspecting larviciding and cleaning activities at Nawab Sirajuddaula Park and Ahmed Bawani Academy School and College in the Nayabazar area of Old Dhaka. 

Mentioning that the rate of deaths from dengue is low, he said, "But there is nothing to be satisfied with it."

"We need to pay more attention to check outbreaks of dengue. Two things should be done to prevent dengue infection. One is to keep the surroundings clean and spray insecticide on the larva ground while another is to make people aware of the menace and its prevention," he added.

Ten teams, formed to combat the dengue situation, have already started working, he said, adding, "They are keeping rigid vigilance to prevent dengue infection."

Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman and Local Government Division Additional Secretary AHM Kamruzzaman, among others, were present.