DU faces dengue detection kits' shortage, 8 more diagnosed

The authorities of Dhaka University have shut down dengue fever detection activities following a shortage of kits.

On the other hand, eight more students were diagnosed with the mosquito-transmitted virus dengue taking the toll to so far 21 on the second day (Thursday) of the dengue test, making a huge outcry among the student communities on the campus.

The university’s chief medical officer (CMO) Sarwar Jahan said that the Dhaka University jointly with Bangladesh Association of Clinical Biochemists had begun the initiative of detecting dengue patients.

The physicians at the university medical centre, he added, identified 13 dengue patients among 168 students on the first day (Wednesday) of the test while eight more were diagnosed on Thursday.

“The dengue test activities were shut down for weekend (Friday and Saturday). The activities will remain closed for Monday as well due to a shortage of test kits,” Sarwar Jahan added.

The associate organisation has said that they are out of kits, said Sarwar adding, "When contacted, the government departments concerned also said no kits would be available before 6 August."

Earlier on 26 July, Dhaka University’s finance department student Firoz Kabir died of dengue fever that panicked the entire student community on the campus.

Following the outcry, the authorities decided to test dengue among the university students.