The number of dengue cases and deaths is increasing at an alarming rate. The Aedes mosquito-borne disease is creating new records every day. Experts fear that dengue may become more dangerous in the coming months due to lack of momentum in mosquito eradication. However, they believe that if the prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes decreases in November due to weather, the number of dengue patients may also decrease.
Due to incessant rains across the country including the capital, water is accumulating in under-construction buildings, ongoing development works under various projects, tin shells, and single-use plastic items. Besides, water is being stored in various containers including flower tubs, ACs. Aedes mosquitoes are getting suitable environment for breeding in these stagnant water. On the one hand, there is a favorable environment for breeding, on the other hand, dengue is spreading everywhere due to the decline in mosquito control activities. Especially the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area is becoming a dengue hotspot.
DSCC tops dengue death toll: According to the Department of Health, 119 people have died of dengue this year (as of last Wednesday) across the country. A total of 81 people died in Dhaka. Among them, 67 died in DSCC area and 14 died in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) area. Moreover, 18 people died in Chittagong division, 11 in Barisal, 3 in Dhaka division (excluding city area), 5 in Khulna and one in Mymensingh.
DSCC area is at the top in terms of victims. 21 thousand 97 people have been affected by dengue this year. Among them, 5 thousand 195 people have been affected in DSCC area, 4 thousand 934 in Chittagong, 3 thousand 693 in DNCC area, 1 thousand 992 in Barisal and 1 thousand 441 in Khulna.
No mosquito control activities: Dengue outbreaks occur almost throughout the year for the past few years. As a result, the local government institutions in charge of mosquito extermination have been struggling since the beginning of the season. Various activities are undertaken in educational institutions including cleaning activities with students-teachers-parents, campaign through mobile court, awareness speech by imam after prayers in mosques, mosquito control program coordinated by ward-ward committee, campaign through prominent persons, media advertisement and distribution of leaflets to increase public awareness. . Moreover, as a main activity, mosquito killers are sprinkled in the morning and afternoon. But this time in July, after the fall of the government through the coup of the students, the public representatives covered up. Although administrators have been installed in the two mayor’s chairs of Dhaka, more than 100 councilors in 129 wards have not yet returned to the area. 16 ward councilors including six reserved councilors are currently in the field. As a result, mosquito control activities at the grass root level are being severely disrupted.
Although instructions have been given repeatedly from the local government department to implement the Aedes mosquito control program, it is not being implemented at the field level. Due to the administrative stagnation, there has been a kind of apathy among the officials and employees. The local residents have not seen any mask workers in the field for the last two-three months.
Local residents are complaining that no one is coming to spray mosquito repellent in various areas of Old Dhaka including Uttara, Banani, Badda, Rampura, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Mugda, Paltan, Shantinagar. There is no activity to kill mosquito larvae in water bodies, lakes or bushes. Even the city corporation is not doing any awareness work.
Rashedul Hasan, a resident of Malibagh area, said that not only after July, but since June, no mosquito has been killed in this area.
Gani Moral, a resident of Shakhari Bazar area, said the councilor was busy with riots. Who died of mosquito bites, who survived, it is not a matter for them to see. Now those who are coming in charge of the city corporation, if they can’t save people from mosquito bites, they should also quit.
Aedes mosquito larvae in all areas, dengue will increase: The unit of measurement of mosquito larvae is called gross index. A recent study has shown that the density of Aedes mosquito larvae in any area of Dhaka is below the gross index of 20. Researchers identify this situation as critical. As a result, they believe that the dengue situation may worsen in the coming months.
Dr. Jahangir Nagar University Zoology Department Professor. Kabirul Basher told Desh Manwarvan that dengue will naturally increase if Aedes mosquitoes are not controlled. If we do not strengthen the mosquito control program in Dhaka now, the situation may get worse in October. However, the dengue outbreak will naturally decrease in November.
He said, every month we prepare the mosquito forecast by field survey and data analysis. There is nothing good in the forecast this year. Dengue may take a more dangerous form next October if mosquito killing continues like this.
The Ministry of Local Government held a coordination meeting this month to control the dengue situation. There, local government institutions including the city corporation were advised to strengthen mosquito control activities. After the meeting, local government adviser AF Hasan Arif said that the dengue situation is under control. But there is no reason to be complacent. In addition to carrying out anti-mosquito operations, awareness programs will be conducted every Friday after prayers in mosques and temples and other places of worship.
Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation. Sher Ali told Desh Panwar, all activities are being conducted on the advice of the local government advisor. All our efforts are ongoing to keep people free from dengue.
On the other hand, from today Thursday, mosquito eradication operations are starting simultaneously in all regions of DNCC. Which will continue till September 25. This morning, the administrator of DNCC will inaugurate this program at Merul Badda. Mahmudul Hassan. When asked to know, Mahmudul Hasan told Desh Panwaran, when it rains, the mosquito infestation increases. Therefore mosquito control activities have been intensified. Initiatives have been taken to clean canals and other water bodies. Moreover, I am emphasizing on public awareness.
