Dengue, often referred to as break-bone fever, poses a considerable risk. The world has witnessed its spread as an epidemic, affecting millions globally. Amid this global health concern, some myths surrounding dengue are leading to misinformation and misguided treatment approaches. This article is going to debunk 10 myths about dengue. Let’s clear up these misconceptions about this formidable mosquito-borne disease for effective prevention. 10 Misconceptions about Dengue Dengue is Contagious Dengue primarily spreads through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It is not a contagious disease. It is not transmitted through person to person contacts. While dengue is not typically transmitted from person to person, there are exceptional circumstances to consider. For instance, an infected pregnant mother can pass the virus to her developing fetus. Additionally, transmission via blood products, organ donation, and transfusions, while extremely rare, is not entirely impossible. Read more: Exploring Dengue Diagnosis: The Essential Tests for Detecting the Virus Dengue Prevails in Rural or Developing Areas This myth does not hold when examining the global reach of this infectious disease. Dengue is not limited to any specific geographical or economic boundaries. Dengue can occur in any country where the Aedes mosquito species are present. This includes tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, encompassing both urban and semi-urban areas. Children and Elderly Are Susceptible to Dengue It's crucial to clarify that dengue can affect individuals of all ages, regardless of their age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Dengue virus does not discriminate based on age. People of all age groups are susceptible to dengue infection, and this includes infants, children, teenagers, and adults. It's true that certain risk categories, such as children and the elderly, are more vulnerable due to their potentially weakened immune systems. However, even healthy individuals can contract dengue or develop severe symptoms. Read more: Dengue Fever: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention Any Mosquito Can Carry Dengue Virus In reality, dengue can only be transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito belonging to the Aedes Aegypti or the Aedes Albopictus species. This certain species is distinguished by its characteristic white markings on the legs. The transmission occurs when it bites an infected individual and subsequently bites a healthy and non-infected person. After an incubation period of about a week, the same mosquito can transmit the disease to another individual. It makes these particular mosquito species the primary vectors for dengue transmission. Dengue Mosquitoes Only Bite During the Day While it is true that dengue-spreading mosquitoes are more active during the daytime, their feeding habits can extend into nighttime hours. These mosquitoes are typically most active around two hours after sunrise and a few hours before sunset. However, they have been observed biting people at night, particularly in well-lit areas. One of the risk factors for nighttime exposure to dengue mosquitoes is the presence of artificial lighting. These mosquitoes can be drawn to indoor environments, including offices, malls, indoor auditoriums, and stadiums that use artificial lights throughout the day and night. Read more: How to Protect Babies and Children from Dengue Fever

In recent times, there has been a surge in dengue-related deaths caused by mosquito bites. Mosquitoes, those tiny, buzzing bugs, might seem harmless, but they can be carriers of deadly diseases. To protect yourself and your loved ones from these pesky insects, it is really important to take preventive measures. In this article, we will explore some proven tips to help you avoid mosquito bites. 13 Ways to prevent Mosquito Bites Mosquito Repellent Sprays and Creams Mosquito repellent sprays and creams are your allies in the battle against these bloodthirsty insects. Sprays with DEET or picaridin create a protective barrier when applied to skin and clothing. Creams add an extra layer of defense, especially on exposed areas like the face and neck. Use both to effectively repel mosquitoes and keep those pesky insects at bay. Wear Protective Clothing  Wearing protective clothing is a smart way to avoid mosquito bites. You may opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably in light colors. Mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing. By covering up, you create a physical barrier that makes it harder for mosquitoes to reach your skin. Read more: How to Protect Babies and Children from Dengue Fever Avoid Peak Mosquito Activity  Avoiding peak mosquito activity hours is a practical way to minimize your risk of bites. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. If possible, stay indoors during these times or take extra precautions when you need to be outside. By doing so, you reduce your exposure to these bloodsucking pests. Install Window Screens  Installing window screens is a simple yet effective measure to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. These screens act as a barrier, keeping mosquitoes out while allowing fresh air to flow in. By ensuring your windows and doors have screens in place, you can enjoy a mosquito-free indoor environment, especially during the warmer months. Maintain a Mosquito-Free Yard A mosquito-free yard starts with proactive steps. It is best to regularly clean your yard by removing debris and items that can collect stagnant water, like old tires or buckets. You need to ensure trash cans are tightly sealed to prevent them from becoming mosquito breeding grounds.  Additionally, you should be concerned about emptying containers that collect rainwater, such as flower pots and bird baths, to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites. By doing so, you create an environment that's less welcoming to these disease-carrying insects. Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever Use Mosquito Nets  Using mosquito nets is a practical solution, especially when sleeping outdoors. Mosquito nets create a physical barrier between you and mosquitoes protecting you throughout the night. You have to simply suspend the netting over your sleeping area to keep those insects at bay, ensuring a peaceful and bite-free night's sleep.

Do you ever wonder why mosquitoes bite you always while your partner or family members are sitting beside you without getting bitten? Mosquito bites not only leave irritating itchings; but also threaten life. Some mosquitos may create life-threatening diseases such as malaria, dengue, zika, chikungunya, etc. While more than 3500 types of mosquitos are available worldwide, a few of those species bite people. Interestingly, these insects don’t bite everyone continuously. Mosquitoes seem to love some people more than others. If you are often attacked by mosquitos, stay with us! This article will explore the reasons why mosquitoes bite you more than others. Read 10 houseplants that are bad for your pets 8 Reasons Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted to You So Much Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others? And is there anything we can do to stop them from biting? Here are the 8 commons reasons why some people are more like to be bitten by mosquitoes. Body Odor Mosquitoes are attracted to certain chemicals in the sweat of humans, and they use this to locate their victims. In fact, body odor is one of the main factors that determine how likely you are to be bitten. A person’s individual body chemistry plays a role in how attractive they are to mosquitoes.  Studies have found that some compounds, such as lactic acid and ammonia, attract mosquitoes. But there are some general guidelines that everyone can follow to minimise their risk of being bitten. Try to avoid scented products like perfumes or lotions, as these can actually attract mosquitoes. Read Dengue vs. Severe Dengue: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention Carbon Dioxide Emission Carbon dioxide is a gas that is produced when humans and animals exhale. It is also produced when certain types of plants decay. Mosquitoes are attracted to the CO2 that a living being emits during the process of inhalation.  The mosquitoes use CO2 to locate humans. The amount of carbon-di-oxide a person emits may decide whether mosquitoes will be more attracted to him or not. In short, carbon dioxide is indirectly responsible for mosquito bites.  Heat and Water Vapor Mosquitoes tend to home in on human bodies by following the heat signature that bodies give off. These insects are attracted to the vapor that we exhale as well as the heat that our bodies radiate.  Read Low-grade Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention When a mosquito is close enough to sense these things, it will fly toward a human body and attempt to land on that individual’s skin. Once the mosquito is on human skin, it will insert its long, sharp proboscis into the person’s flesh in order to feed on our blood.  The amount of body heat and vapour that a human emits determines how attractive s/he is to mosquitoes. Those who emit more heat and vapor, such as pregnant women or people who exercise vigorously, are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.  However, there are ways to reduce the amount of heat and vapor that you emit, such as wearing light-colored clothing and staying cool and dry. By taking these measures, you can make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes and avoid being bitten. Read Bug-free Home: How to get rid of insects indoors Colors A study has found that certain colors may be more likely to attract mosquitoes. The study found that mosquitoes were most attracted to dark colors such as black, likely because they contrast sharply with the color of the sky. The findings suggest that wearing clothing in black colors may increase your risk of being bitten by a mosquito. Alcohol Consumption The link between alcohol and mosquito bites may seem a bit counterintuitive, but there is actually a strong connection between the two. For one thing, alcohol consumption can cause changes in the body that make someone more attractive to mosquitoes.  For example, alcohol consumption can raise body temperature, making someone more likely to be bitten. In addition, alcohol consumption can cause dehydration, which makes the skin drier and more vulnerable to biting insects. Read Climate change making dengue an annual affair in Bangladesh Pregnancy Pregnancy is related to a mosquito bite in a few ways. One way is that a pregnant woman’s blood is more ‘appetizing’ to a mosquito than that of a non-pregnant woman. A second way is that a pregnant woman’s body temperature is higher, making her more attractive to mosquitoes. Body Size The size of a person does not affect how often they get bitten by mosquitoes. Larger people simply have more surface area for mosquitoes to choose from. However, body fat percentage does play a role in how attractive you are to mosquitoes.  Studies have shown that people with higher levels of body fat are more likely to get bitten than those with lower levels of body fat. This is because mosquitoes are attracted to the lactic acid that is produced when fat is metabolized. Read How to protect yourself and your family fron Dengue Fever Blood Type It’s long been known that different people react differently to mosquito bites. Some people’s skin may swell up and itch for days, while others seem to barely notice they have been bitten. Now, scientists have discovered that there may be a correlation between blood type and mosquito bites.  In a 2004 study, participants with type ‘O’ blood were found twice as likely to be bitten by mosquitoes than those with type ‘A’ blood. The reason for this difference is still unknown, but it’s possible that mosquitoes are attracted to the chemicals found in type O blood. Whatever the reason, you should keep in mind your blood type before heading outdoors into mosquito-prone areas. How to Stay Safe from Mosquitoes? Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten.  First, make sure to use mosquito repellent whenever you go outside, especially during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).  Read Don't use pesticides, but destroy mosquito breeding places You should also wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, as mosquitoes can bite through tight fabric. If possible, avoid standing water, as this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs.  Finally, be sure to keep your home or campsite clean and free of debris, as mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of standing water.  By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about mosquito bites. Read Keep houses clean to prevent dengue: Khokon - UNB Final Words So far, we have discussed why mosquitoes bite some people more than others. While there are many factors that contribute to some of the reasons may include skin sensitivity, an inability to fight off the mosquito, or simply being easier prey.  Mosquito bites can be more than just a nuisance. They can also transmit deadly diseases. However, following the above-mentioned preventive and control measures, you can be less attractive to mosquitoes, and thus minimise the risks of mosquito bites.

Another  four dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours till Sunday morning amid a rise in the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh, authorities said.  All the new patients were hospitalised in Dhaka division, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). As many as 109 dengue patients, including 105 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. The dengue cases are rising in the capital allegedly due to insufficient measures taken by the two Dhaka city corporations for preventing mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the mosquito-borne viral disease. This year, the DGHS has recorded 1,397 dengue cases and 1,287 recoveries so far. Although dengue – a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries – was first reported in Bangladesh in 1964, the first epidemic occurred in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year.  It has since become endemic in the country, with outbreaks recorded every year since. Although for a three-year period at one point, the number of deaths from the virus fell almost near zero, its most fatal year yet was in 2019, when 179 died experiencing the severe form of the disease. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it seemed to take a backseat, as only three deaths were reported from dengue that year. However, 105 dengue patients, including 95 in Dhaka division, died in 2021. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. About 4 billion people, almost half of the world's population, live in areas with a risk of dengue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue while approximately 100 million get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue, it says. "There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 per cent," according to the World Health Organization.

The density of Aedes mosquitoes in the capital Dhaka is more than the previous year which may increase further during the upcoming monsoon leading to a spread of dengue. Researchers at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) feared that rainfall in the city may be followed by an alarming rise in mosquitoes-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.  An outbreak of dengue fever last year claimed 105 lives and sent 28,429  patients to hospital, most of them in the capital city, according to DGHS Also read: Civic body launches anti-dengue drive in north Dhaka National Malaria Elimination and Aedes Transmission Disease Control Programme of DGHS, has found the dire situation in a recent survey. The 10-day entomological survey was conducted at 100 sites of 98 wards under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).  According to the DGHS, a 21-member team visited around 3,000 houses under the city corporations to complete the survey. It found Aedes mosquito’s larvae in 150 houses which is 4.25 percent of the total figure.  

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam on Monday directed the Ward Councillors to hold a coordination meeting at least once a week to make the mosquito eradication and sanitation activities more dynamic and effective.  "We have come to perform responsibilities taking the mandate of the people. It is our responsibility to ensure the protection of the people. This responsibility must not be neglected in any way," he said while addressing the 11th corporation meeting of the 2nd council of DNCC at Nagar Bhaban of Gulshan-2 in the capital on Monday morning.    READ: Vehicles' movement in capital should be regulated based on number plates: Mayor Atiqul  The DNCC Mayor also instructed the Ward Councillors not to travel abroad without their permission.  At the meeting, considering the helplessness of the family of the deceased Md. Ahsan Kabir Khan who died in the accident, and also for continuation educational activities of children till they earn Masters or equivalent degree,  it decided to provide Tk 25,000 each month from the fund of the DNCC.    The corporation meeting was attended by all the councilors and senior officials of DNCC including Md. Selim Reza, Chief Executive Officer of DNCC. 

Amid a concerning spike of Aedes mosquito-borne disease, 237 new dengue cases were reported across the country by the health authorities on Sunday morning. The outbreak of dengue fever with more than 100 dengue patients reported daily for more than a week has sparked new worries as the country’s health services are already overburdened with increasing Covid cases and fatalities. Of the new dengue cases, 218 were reported in Dhaka while 19 were from outside the capital, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Also read: Dengue vs. Severe Dengue: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention According to the (DGHS), 862 patients are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the country. A vast majority of the dengue patients are from Dhaka as only 34 of them were reported being treated in hospitals outside the capital. Some 2,895 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January and 2,029 of them have been released after they recovered. The DGHS reported 1,193 dengue cases and three confirmed dengue-related deaths in 2020. According to official statistics, 101,354 dengue cases and 179 deaths were recorded in Bangladesh in 2019. Also read: Alarming Dengue surge: 196 more hospitalised in 24 hrs Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year. In the years that followed, the country learned to deal with the disease much better.  The fatalities had almost fallen to zero at one stage, before surging again in 2018, leading to the severe outbreak the following year.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Monday found Aedes mosquito larvae in seven houses and under construction buildings during a drive. After visiting 87 houses and under-construction buildings, ten DSCC mobile court teams fined Tk 1,09500 in seven cases after finding a favourable environment for Aedes mosquito breeding at five of them. The drive was led by Executive Magistrate  Md Haidar Ali, Md Mamun Mia, Md Hasnat Morshed Bhuiyan, Shahin Reza, Md Alamgir Hossain and four of the newly posted executive magistrates in city’s KP Ghosh street, Janatabagh, Raisnagar, Gendaria, Nadipara, and Khilgaon areas. The magistrates said from next day ten zones under DSCC, ten mobile courts will conduct drives simultaneously to destroy mosquito habitats. READ: DSCC drive: Aedes larvae found in 5 buildings including DOM-INNO’s The anti-mosquito drives are being conducted amid a rise in the number of dengue patients with authorities reporting 123 new cases in 24 hours until Monday morning. For three consecutive days, over 100 patients have been diagnosed with dengue every day adding worries to the country’s health services, already overburdened with growing Covid cases and fatalities. READ: Destroy aedes-breeding puddles or face penalty, warns LGRD minister Across Bangladesh, some 468 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment as of Monday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Most cases have been reported in the capital

Authorities reported 53 more dengue cases in 24 hours until Sunday morning even if anti-mosquito drives continues in the capital city. The recent spike in dengue cases has added to the worries as the country continues to grapple with the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.   Some 190 patients diagnosed with dengue are currently receiving treatment at different government and private hospitals across the country as of Sunday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Also read: 48 more dengue cases reported in Bangladesh Of them, one patient is receiving treatment at a hospital outside Dhaka. All the new patients were reported of being admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka, and no one was reported to be hospitalized outside Dhaka during the period. So far, 726 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January and 536 of them have been released after recovery. Also read: 36 more dengue cases reported in 24 hrs The DGHS reported 1,193 dengue cases and three confirmed dengue-related deaths in 2020. According to official figures, 101,354 dengue cases and 179 deaths were recorded in Bangladesh in 2019. Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000 when it claimed 93 lives. In the following three years, the fatalities almost fell to zero. However, the mosquito-borne viral infection struck again in 2018, killing 26, and infecting 10,148 people.

The city corporations of the country do not have an entomologist on their payroll yet, although their research is crucial for controlling the mosquito population.