In the light of the recently increased number of Chikungunya cases, WHO Bangladesh emphasizes the role of prevention in fighting the vector of this virus, responsible also for spreading of Dengue and Zika viruses.
In a 2016 study conducted by WHO Bangladesh in collaboration with the Disease Control Directorate of the Ministry of Health, it was found that although there is some awareness about the menace of Aedes mosquito, action is lacking on the part of people to control mosquito breeding. There is also a lack of knowledge about where Aedes mosquito can breed or its biting habits. Almost half of the respondents did not know how dengue is transmitted and two-thirds of them have no knowledge about the cause of Zika and Dengue fever.
To address this issue, WHO Bangladesh started, last year and continued in 2017, the dissemination of 50,000 information materials: booklets, flyers, posters, that present basic measures on avoiding mosquitos and preventing their breeding.
In support of the Government to address the three viruses, WHO Bangladesh conducted in February 2017 training of trainers sessions for medical staff at divisional level and at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The trainings were focused on epidemiology, clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, investigation, clinical management and prevention of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. More than 200 doctors and nurses have been trained as trainers to train others to better respond to the three viruses.
Furthermore, WHO Bangladesh provided technical support and guidance to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the development of National Guideline on Clinical management of Chikungunya Fever. The document was released in May 2017 and sets out the operational standards for identification and diagnosing the Chikungunya fever, home and hospital case management, treatment of serious complication.
In June 2017, WHO Bangladesh supported the strengthening of surveillance, detection and outbreak investigation on the three viruses by providing to Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) laboratory, the necessary reagents, supplies and equipment to properly confirm the cases of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya.
The direct actions of Government, WHO Bangladesh, together with various partners on fighting the three viruses will have a stronger impact if proper prevention actions are constantly taken by the population and relevant authorities against the Aedes mosquito. The Aedes mosquito is present for 12 months a year, therefore the prevention and vector control interventions should be throughout the year and not be limited to monsoon season.