State minister warns ‘devastating’ dengue wave to begin at month-end

State Minister for Health MA Muhit on Sunday warned that infections and deaths from dengue could reach alarming levels starting from the end of this month, urging everyone to significantly expedite local cleanliness drives from now.

Furthermore, people must also contribute at their own initiative to forging a social movement to convincingly pre-empt a looming epidemic, the state minister told reporters while speaking at a gate of the National Parliament.

MA Muhit said that within a day or two a coordinated government-backed mass awareness campaign will be launched by combining all the voluntary organisations – Red Crescent, Scouts, Girls’ Guide, and social and cultural organisations – together.

However, in the capital, associations at residential apartments, and general citizens must also get involved and remain alert individually since the entry of volunteers and activists are restricted at residential units.

The government is prioritising people’s spontaneous engagement and awareness over policing and penalties. Surveillance and penalties are never enough to stop a fast-spreading disease like dengue, the statement minister said.

At the hospitals too, the government is giving priority to prevention rather than treatment, but keeping ready special measures in case of emergencies.

Furthermore, around 300 doctors were given refreshers’ training on standard dengue management, and adequate number of mosquito nets are being distributed at hospitals to prevent the spread of dengue from one patient through mosquito bites.

MA Muhit said that analysis on past trends, existing epidemiological data and climate patterns suggest dengue peaks towards the end of September and at the beginning of October.