City dwellers have complained of negligence against two city corporations in Dhaka for killing mosquitoes responsible for the spread of dengue amid unannounced lockdowns across the country, including the capital, to prevent coronavirus infection. They say the lack of action by city corporations to eradicate mosquitoes, the occasional rains and the shutdown of businesses amid lockdowns could lead to dengue re-emerging. The news agency UNB reported the news.
Entomologists fear that the mosquito-borne dengue epidemic of coronavirus could take a worse shape than last year. Because, since the outbreak of dengue in the country, most people have died and been infected last year.
From January to April this year, 298 people were diagnosed with dengue but no deaths were reported. However, only 131 people were infected at this time last year.
Experts say the outbreak could increase in July-August this year if action is not taken as soon as possible.
In this regard, the local government minister. Tajul Islam said last week that a mobile court would be set up from May 10 to monitor whether places where Aedes mosquitoes could breed had been destroyed.
Calling for the removal of stagnant water inside and outside all buildings, the minister said, “If a mobile court finds an Aedes mosquito breeding center there, its owner will be fined.”
Aedes mosquitoes, carriers of dengue, usually breed in stagnant water. For this, water stored in houses, roofs, bathrooms, verandas or under construction places should be kept clean.
The local government minister said the two city corporations in Dhaka have enough medicines for one year to control mosquitoes.
According to official figures, 11554 people were hospitalized with dengue last year and 179 of them died.
Shafiqul Islam, a resident of the Nazirabazar area of Old Dhaka, said mosquito infestations have recently increased in their area. He said mosquitoes were breeding in the stagnant water as people in the area were under house arrest and businesses were closed. He added that the city corporation only conducts mosquito eradication activities on the roads. But there are many alleys where mosquitoes are born.
Shamsunnahar Dolan, a resident of Mirpur-6 area, said the mosquito infestation seems to have increased significantly after the closure of public transport and businesses. Mosquitoes can be seen in the frozen water in the streets and drains of the city.
‘Like last year, I fear an Aedes mosquito-borne dengue outbreak. Since most people have left Dhaka and others are at home, mosquitoes are breeding everywhere. Coronavirus as well as this should be focused on now, ‘added Shamsunnahar Dolan.
When contacted, Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, said that since the onset of rains earlier this month, dengue prevention activities have been hampered by corona. As a result, the number of dengue patients may increase this year compared to last year if the right steps are not taken now looking at the scientific model.
‘People were indoors during the lockdown, causing massive mosquito breeding in the city’s alleys. Even the city corporation is not working properly for this. At this time mosquito breeding is increasing. The monsoon season will start in full swing from June and if the number of Aedes mosquitoes is not reduced and the breeding grounds are not destroyed, the dengue infection is likely to increase further, ‘added entomologist Kabirul Bashar.
The JU teacher said various under-construction sites, bus terminals, police stations where many confiscated vehicles are kept in open space, in front of various hospitals and various government institutions are the main breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes.
In this case, the ward councilors should play an effective role in creating awareness among the people and identifying and destroying the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes, the expert said.
When contacted, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health Officer Brigadier. Md. Sharif Ahmed said they are working to destroy mosquitoes and the main breeding grounds for mosquitoes as per the year-round work plan. ‘We work here regularly to destroy mosquitoes so that we don’t have to see any outbreaks this year like last year,’ he added.
Brigadier General Mominur Rahman Mamun, chief health officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said they were working to kill mosquitoes as well as raise awareness. ‘We are working to control the Aedes mosquito outbreak. We are working jointly with various ministries and agencies like RAJUK, Dhaka WASA, BRTA, Bangladesh Railway, BWDB, Health Services, Metrorail Project Authority, ”he added.
