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Government denies that Dengue is an epidemic |
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July 28, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) - The government yesterday denied that Dengue fever has assumed epidemic proportions and urged the people not to be panicked as the fever can be prevented and managed. "The death of 11 people, out of 239 attacked by Dengue fever, is not an epidemic. Had the disease taken an epidemic form, then wards and corridors of hospitals would have been packed with patients," Health and Family Welfare Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim told a press conference at his office. Stressing the need for creating public awareness to combat the disease, he said, "There is no reason for panic. The patient can recover from the fever if managed properly." He said the disease can be prevented through increased awareness and by cleaning the breeding places of Aedse mosquito and killing its adults. Selim said the government has taken various measures to create public awareness, and for prevention and management of Dengue fever. He mentioned the formation of a nine-member high-powered committee to deal with the disease. The Health Minister said the government is planning to impart training to 100 physicians and other staff to monitor, identify and manage the disease. Of them, training of 30 physicians are underway. He said 20,000 posters have been distributed for increasing awareness and preventing the disease in Dhaka city. Giving a breakup of Dengue affected patients in different government hospitals till July 27, he said 41 patients were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Of them, 13 were cured, 27 under treatment and one died. To Mitford Hospital, 14 were admitted, 6 cured, 7 under treatment and one died. At BIRDEM Hospital, there were 77 patients admitted. Of them, 40 were cured, 33 under treatment and four died while at Shishu Hospital out of 77 patients admitted, 31 were released, 41 under treatment and four died. At Suhrawardhy Hospital, there were two patients admitted -- one was released and the other under treatment. Eleven patients were admitted to Police hospital and two of them were released and 9 under treatment. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medial University Hospital had 17 patients admitted and 8 of them were released, 8 under treatment and one died. The Health Minister said seven types fever can occur during this season. "Not all the fever are Dengue. But many are branding any fever as Dengue and is creating panic." In this respect, he said Dr Zakia Sultana did not die of Dengue but of diabetic mellitus and other complications but she was shown as Dengue victim creating much panic. He said there is no proven document that Zakia died of Dengue. He urged the newsmen to do objective reporting and create awareness among the people to deal with the disease. The minister said massive blood tests are being done at IEDCR at Mohakhali. In addition to 1000 test Kits, World Health Organisation would provide 2000 more Kits. In 1997, he said, there were few cases of Dengue and preventive measures were taken then. State Minister for Health Prof M Amanullah, acting Secretary of Health Ministry Dhiraj Kumar Nath and DG, Health Prof ABM Ahasanullah and Chief Medical Officer of Dhaka City Corporation were present at the conference. |