Govt initiates assessing bacteria use to prevent dengue
Wolbachia bacteria blocks viruses like dengue, chikungunya from growing in Aedes mosquitoes
The health ministry has instructed to take necessary steps to assess the Wolbachia method in preventing dengue in Bangladesh.
Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum gave the directive in a meeting today held at the health ministry regarding actions on public-private partnership proposals for dengue prevention.
The Wolbachia method introduces bacteria into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to help prevent the spread of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, according to World Mosquito Program.
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At the event, Dr Kazi Jamil from Canada-based Merit Incorporation presented two proposals in preventing dengue in the country.
The first proposal involves conducting a serological and epidemiological survey on dengue-related deaths, (to be supported by the Upstate Medical University in the United States). A serological survey is designed to detect dengue antibodies in human blood serum.
The second focuses on evaluating mosquito control technologies—including the Wolbachia method—in collaboration with Australia's World Mosquito Program.
At the end of the meeting, both proposals were approved.
Adviser Nurjahan Begum emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts in dengue prevention and advised working jointly with government, non-government, autonomous, and international organisations to tackle the issue.
Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for health ministry, and Md Saidur Rahman, secretary of the Health Services Division, were among others, also present.
In the last 24 hours, 49 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals. No deaths have report during this time. However, so far this year, 17 dengue patients have died, and 2,276 have been admitted to hospitals."
