Dengue, measles cases on the rise at Paikgachha

PAIKGACHHA, KHULNA, Sept 4: As the monsoon begins to recede, dengue and measles are quietly spreading in Paikgachha Upazila of Khulna, raising fresh concerns over public health.

In just 33 days, from August 1 to September 2, a total of 83 patients sought treatment for the two diseases at Paikgachha Upazila Health Complex.

Of them, 18 were diagnosed with measles, all of whom required hospitalisation. Two patients were later referred to Khulna Medical College Hospital for better treatment due to complications.

During the same period, 65 dengue patients received treatment at the health complex. Of them, 16 received initial treatment as outpatients, while 49 had to be admitted to the hospital.

As of the latest update, 16 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Five dengue patients have so far been referred to Khulna or other advanced medical facilities after their conditions deteriorated.

Health officials said preventing dengue largely depends on people's everyday habits. They urged residents to regularly remove stagnant water from around homes, flower pots, discarded coconut shells, tyres and other containers where Aedes mosquitoes can breed.

They also advised people to use mosquito nets during the day and apply mosquito repellents. Anyone developing fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes or joint pain should seek medical attention without delay.

Regarding measles, health workers advised families to isolate infected patients at the earliest opportunity as the disease spreads rapidly.

They particularly urged parents not to ignore symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and reddish rashes in children and to seek medical advice promptly. Ensuring routine vaccination was also stressed.

Dr Ahsanara Binte Ahmed, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said neither dengue nor measles should cause panic, but neither should be ignored.

“People must keep their surroundings clean and prevent water from accumulating to control dengue. We must ensure 100 per cent vaccination coverage among children. If anyone develops symptoms, it is wiser to consult a doctor instead of taking medicines on their own from a pharmacy,” she said.

Health officials said tackling the situation would require a coordinated effort involving local representatives, educational institutions and families, rather than relying solely on government hospitals and healthcare workers.

They recommended cleaning the surroundings of homes at least once a week to destroy mosquito breeding grounds and help contain the spread of dengue.

The 83 cases recorded in 33 days are not merely isolated figures, health-conscious residents and doctors said, warning that greater public awareness and preventive measures are needed to prevent the situation from worsening.