The very high density of Dhaka’s population and its large slums make it especially vulnerable to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, according to Bangladesh’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Bangladesh is the eighth most populous country in the world, and Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
“The unusually congested state of Dhaka city increases the threat of an H1N1 influenza outbreak. The slum areas are especially vulnerable. The extremely close proximity of the people means that any H1N1 infection will spread rapidly and the challenge of containing the outbreak may increase greatly,” A.S.M. Alamgir, an IEDCR virologist told IRIN.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting in the capital on 20 August, Secretary of Health Shaikh Altaf Ali voiced his concern over treatment capacities currently available in Dhaka. Current facilities may not be sufficient to cope with a large-scale pandemic, he said.
According to a recent study conducted by the Bangladesh-based Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), 3.4 million of Dhaka’s 12 million people are slum dwellers.
"Slums are everywhere in Dhaka and the density of the slum population is 891 per acre. This is 8-10 times higher than the average city population density," said CUS Chairman Nazrul Islam, presenting his findings.
The IEDCR and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) jointly tested and diagnosed the first known case of the H1N1 virus in Bangladesh on 18 June, a number which has steadily increased since then.
As of 18 August, 87 cases have been identified in Bangladesh.
Preparations
The government has been preparing itself for the virus ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a major threat.
Health Support Desks (HSD) have been set up at 16 major entry points to screen suspected swine flu patients. Since 29 April, more than 240,000 passengers have been screened, according to IEDCR.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has stockpiled over 23 million units of the antiviral capsule Oseltamivir, 1.9 million surgical masks (with an additional five million in the pipeline), and 57,000 units of personal protective equipment.
“The government and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society have already trained 226,100 volunteer community workers for increasing the public awareness regarding H1N1 influenza,” Mohamad Abul Quasem, a Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) official, told IRIN.
In the event of a Phase 3 country alert (indicating infections are spreading among the general population in large numbers), hospitals have been instructed by the DGHS to be prepared to respond immediately.
A memorandum has been issued by the DGHS to all local hospitals with more than 200-bed capacities to form an in-house Hospital Influenza Management Committee.
According to WHO, as of 13 August, more than 182,000 cases of the virus have been reported worldwide, with close to 2,000 deaths.
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Bangladesh is the eighth most populous country in the world, and Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
“The unusually congested state of Dhaka city increases the threat of an H1N1 influenza outbreak. The slum areas are especially vulnerable. The extremely close proximity of the people means that any H1N1 infection will spread rapidly and the challenge of containing the outbreak may increase greatly,” A.S.M. Alamgir, an IEDCR virologist told IRIN.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting in the capital on 20 August, Secretary of Health Shaikh Altaf Ali voiced his concern over treatment capacities currently available in Dhaka. Current facilities may not be sufficient to cope with a large-scale pandemic, he said.
According to a recent study conducted by the Bangladesh-based Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), 3.4 million of Dhaka’s 12 million people are slum dwellers.
"Slums are everywhere in Dhaka and the density of the slum population is 891 per acre. This is 8-10 times higher than the average city population density," said CUS Chairman Nazrul Islam, presenting his findings.
The IEDCR and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) jointly tested and diagnosed the first known case of the H1N1 virus in Bangladesh on 18 June, a number which has steadily increased since then.
As of 18 August, 87 cases have been identified in Bangladesh.
Preparations
The government has been preparing itself for the virus ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a major threat.
Health Support Desks (HSD) have been set up at 16 major entry points to screen suspected swine flu patients. Since 29 April, more than 240,000 passengers have been screened, according to IEDCR.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has stockpiled over 23 million units of the antiviral capsule Oseltamivir, 1.9 million surgical masks (with an additional five million in the pipeline), and 57,000 units of personal protective equipment.
“The government and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society have already trained 226,100 volunteer community workers for increasing the public awareness regarding H1N1 influenza,” Mohamad Abul Quasem, a Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) official, told IRIN.
In the event of a Phase 3 country alert (indicating infections are spreading among the general population in large numbers), hospitals have been instructed by the DGHS to be prepared to respond immediately.
A memorandum has been issued by the DGHS to all local hospitals with more than 200-bed capacities to form an in-house Hospital Influenza Management Committee.
According to WHO, as of 13 August, more than 182,000 cases of the virus have been reported worldwide, with close to 2,000 deaths.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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