Swine flu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global flu pandemic after holding an emergency meeting. The swine flu (H1N1) virus first emerged in Mexico in April 2009 and has since spread to 74 countries. Hence, there is no chance to say that it will not spread in Bangladesh.
The population density of Bangladesh is huge so we are more vulnerable to Swine flu. Just a few minutes before writing this letter there was breaking news in the June 19th DS online version entitled “Swine flu case reported in Dhaka”. So, now is the time to take proper initiatives to prevent this epidemic. The government and media should make people aware of this disease and broadcast the message that they need not panic.
The ministry of health and the health authorities should make them prepare from now and every hospital, clinic and other health institutions should be ready to face the menace.
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According to a health ministry press statement, Bangladesh on Friday, June 19, detected the first case of deadly swine flu in a non-resident Bangladeshi who just returned from the USA. Out of the seven men screened on suspicion of having swine flu until Thursday, he, identity not disclosed, was the first to be detected with the same.
Patients with specific flu-like symptoms- a fever above 40 degrees C, cough or other respiratory symptoms- are presumed to have the new virus.
Experts said Bangladesh was exposed further to the danger of the flu as some 80 per cent people here cough and sneeze in open places.
ALSO, we need to follow our religious rules properly to escape these types of deadly diseases.
Habibur Rashid Ismail, Jamea Rahmania Fadil Madrasa, Chittagong
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