PERISCOPE

Though the number of corona deaths in our country have been decreasing day by day, but the number of Dengue deaths have been increasing. Our country battles dengue outbreak amid COVID-19 crisis. At first, we need to know that what common difference between Covid 19 and dengue is. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers in areas where dengue is endemic or who are treating patients with recent travel history to those areas, must consider dengue and COVID-19 within the diagnosis of acute febrile illnesses. Most people with dengue and COVID-19 have mild illness and will recover at home; symptoms usually last some days, and others tend to feel better after per week. However, both dengue and COVID-19 can cause severe illness which is able to end in death. The clinical management for people who develop severe illness with either of these two diseases is reasonably different, often requiring hospital-based care. Anyone of any age can develop severe illness with dengue or COVID-19. Both infections are more likely to cause complications in adults with underlying chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. At present dengue has taken an alarming turn in our country this year. Anyone from any age of group can be infected by dengue. But children are most vulnerable to this mosquito because of their comparatively weaker immune system. This situation is not stable as the single day of dengue cases are still over 250. Simultaneously, we are going through a pandemic period, our government concerned to take separate program to bring people under the covid-19 vaccination coverage as soon as possible.

To prevent and control infections, the immediate challenges ahead are to conduct the tests, isolation of infected cases, tracing of the contacts and quarantine, and appropriate measures for the overseas returnees. an efficient risk communication with community engagement is critical to chop back the stigma, fake news, psychological stress. it is essential to bring courage and mental strength of the frontline fighters, and support for the poor and daily wage earners etc. According to the report of Bangladesh medical Research council bulletin, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, developed type of guidelines and manuals for the containment of this pandemic disease. For an efficient and timely preparedness and response, the DGHS has developed ‘National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19, Bangladesh’.9 For better response, well-coordinated and cooperated global efforts, including exchange of information, content, research findings, expertise and best practices are important. All countries should implement WHO guidelines and proposals. In Bangladesh, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alone cannot mitigate this pandemic. Strengthening of the coordinated efforts among the ministries, and effective and timely engagement of the non-government and private sectors are strongly recommended. Intensification of RT-PCR lab tests for case detection, and isolation and management of cases, and to trace the contacts and ensure quarantine, surveillance, and research, serological tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific immunoglobulins to estimate the population exposure, strengthening public awareness and risk communication, strict implementation of private hygiene, use of mask, social distancing and other measures are thus suggested preventing and control COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Adhering to these hygiene rules will make it easier for us to overcome the double blow pandemic situation.

Sifat Kamal, Dept. of Marketing, University of Dhaka.