The risk of dengue infection increases again with the onset of monsoon. According to the details of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Department of Health Services, dengue has been confirmed in 1,561 people across the country from January 1 to June 24.

In the last 24 hours, five and 91 people have been infected in the last seven days. The situation where the infection has spread to 73 districts is a serious sign. In the past years, there is an experience that the infection rate has increased significantly in August-August. So now is the time to prepare because measures taken after dengue outbreaks are mostly ineffective. 

The dengue virus is transmitted by the bite of a female Aedes mosquito. Generally, this species of mosquito is small in size, is more active especially in the morning and evening before sunset and prefers to stay around humans. People are more active when they are busy with work, so the chances of getting bitten are higher. So Jhul worn at night is not enough.

This mosquito breeds in frozen clear water. With the onset of monsoon, the risk of waterlogging increases. Pitfalls, discarded drums, tires, bottles and broken utensils in public places are prone to breeding mosquitoes. Even pots, bottles, lids and alternatively stored water in the yard can become breeding grounds. Even with only clean water, it blooms and increases its numbers. 

Personal vigilance is essential to prevent and control dengue. The measures of putting nets on the windows, wearing sleeved clothes in the morning and evening and using quality ointment should be taken immediately. It is imperative to pay particular attention to the safety of children, the elderly, the sick or pregnant women. These measures help to avoid mosquito bites. However, the most effective strategy is to stop its growth cycle.

For that, it is necessary to keep the yard clean, to remove holes that can collect water, to sprinkle or spray mosquito killer. The responsibility of the government is equally important. The local level should take the responsibility of spraying medicine, destroying larvae and conducting public awareness programs from time to time in schools, hospitals, parks and public places.

All levels of government should allocate the necessary budget for that, manage equipment and human resources. The Ministry of Health can strengthen the coordination and implementation capacity of the local level by establishing an effective monitoring mechanism. 

If one family member is infected, other members may also be at risk. Dengue infected people experience high fever, severe headache, eye and body pain. In some cases, the condition can be complicated by bleeding. A worrying situation can occur when there is a problem of decreasing platelets. Moreover, the risk of infection may be more serious in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. It is necessary for families and society to take special precautions to protect such sensitive groups.

There is a lot of confusion about which foods are suitable for increasing platelets. Consuming junk food without doctor's advice can have adverse effects on health. Therefore, only information based on official information, instructions from qualified physicians and scientific evidence should be accepted. The government needs to send a clear message using radio, television, newspapers and social media to strengthen health education.