Awareness campaign on dengue held in Bagerhat

Bashundhara Shuvosangho Kachua upazila unit has distributed awareness leaflets at several key locations in Bagerhat town to raise public awareness about dengue prevention.

The leaflets were distributed among pedestrians, patients’ relatives and members of the public on Saturday, at locations including the 250-bed Bagerhat General Hospital premises, Shaltala intersection and Red Crescent intersection.

The leaflets provided information on keeping homes and their surroundings clean, removing stagnant water, destroying Aedes mosquito breeding sites and taking precautions against mosquito bites. People were also advised to consult doctors if dengue symptoms appeared and seek immediate hospital care if severe symptoms developed.

During the campaign, organisation members spoke to people about the importance of personal hygiene and keeping the environment clean. They stressed that dengue prevention required more than mosquito-control drives and that eliminating mosquito breeding grounds was equally important.

They advised people to remove stagnant water from rooftops, balconies, courtyards and surrounding areas. They also urged residents to regularly clean flowerpot trays, discarded bottles, coconut shells, old tyres and other unused containers where water could accumulate. Keeping water tanks and storage containers covered was also emphasised.

As Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime, the organisers urged people to remain cautious throughout the day. They recommended using mosquito nets when necessary, wearing clothing that covers the body and applying approved mosquito repellents.

The campaign also highlighted the importance of keeping drains clean and ensuring proper water drainage around homes.

Organisation members urged people to remain alert to dengue symptoms, including fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and body aches, and skin rashes. They warned that a patient’s condition could deteriorate even after the fever subsided.

People were advised to seek immediate hospital care if severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, breathing difficulties or unusual weakness developed. They also cautioned against taking medication without medical advice.

Those present at the campaign included Mahmudul Islam, Md Naim Mridha and Mosa Naima Akter, joint general secretaries of the Kachua upazila unit; Sheikh Nadim Mahmud, Joya Roy, joint organising secretary; Sumaiya Mim, publicity secretary; Dibya Mridha, relief and disaster management secretary; Disha Baidya, health and human resources secretary; and Swapna Mondal, an executive member, along with other members.

Swapna Mondal said public awareness was crucial to dengue prevention. She said the risk could be reduced by keeping homes and their surroundings clean, preventing water from accumulating, maintaining functional drains and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

She added that the initiative aimed to deliver these messages to the public and encourage everyone to act responsibly to prevent dengue.

Members of Bashundhara Shuvosangho said community participation, alongside individual and family efforts, was essential to controlling the spread of Aedes mosquitoes. They expressed hope that greater awareness, regular cleaning and the removal of stagnant water would help reduce the risk of dengue.