Over hundred employees -- both foreigners and locals -- at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant site have been infected with dengue since mid-September, while two other died of the disease in the past month.
According to project officials, at least 30 workers are still receiving care at the project's hospital and other medical complexes.
No larva of Aedes was found at the project site and anti-mosquito measures have been taken in this regard. that's why there is nothing to be concerned, sources said,
However, Dr Asma Khan, Ishwardi upazila's health officer, told that dengue outbreak began there in the middle of September. More than 100 patients have been admitted to this facility's dengue unit over the past few weeks.
"The majority of the patients are site employees at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, she said, adding that dengue claimed lives of two project workers last month.
She continued by saying that many patients have been admitted to other hospitals and that although foreign workers were also infected. They are receiving treatment at the project hospital, she added.
However, according to Ruhul Kuddus, site office manager, only about 30 workers have received treatment to date; foreign workers are receiving care under the direction of project doctors. The Russian construction company has already been informed of the issue and the current situation.
Engineer Ashraful Islam, site director of the plant, said that even though some workers have the illness, it does not necessarily follow that they contracted it on the project site.
"We instructed all the construction companies working on the project site to start taking initiatives against dengue when it out broke last month. To ensure that there is no stagnant water within the project area, project men constantly patrol every corner, he said.
He claimed that project workers regularly spray medication to kill mosquito around the project area.
Dr Asma Khan added that the health department has already collected samples from the project site and no dengue larva was found.
