The mosquito control program of two city corporations of Dhaka has collapsed. Both organizations are not able to control mosquitoes in any way. As a result, the number of dengue patients is increasing at an alarming level. There is a fear that dengue may take a more dangerous form inthe later part of October.
Mosquito control is one of the services provided by the city corporation to its citizens. But the two city corporations of Dhaka are not able to do this work properly and the citizens complain that they have failed in this work.
However, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are saying different things. According to DNCC and DSCC, Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean water that accumulates in abandoned containers in backyards. Citizens are the most responsible for this. So, you have to keep your home yard clean regularly to kill mosquitoes. And if mosquitoes breed outside drains, drains or any other place, the city corporation will kill them.
Dengue can take a more serious form
Aedes and Culex mosquito infestation in Dhaka city in 2023 broke all previous records. Last year, the number of dengue cases in Dhaka exceeded 100,000, according to the official figures.
More than 1500 have died from this disease. This year also the number of dengue patients is increasing day by day. The death row is long.
Entomologists said that at the end of the monsoon season, Aedes mosquito larvae are found wherever the rain water accumulates. Again, Aedes mosquitoes are breeding in some places, where there is no connection with rainwater. These include parking lots of multi-storey buildings, basements of buildings under construction, water meter boxes and water stored in houses. Everyone should keep their yard clean. Water should not be allowed to accumulate in any container.
When asked, Kabirul Bashar, Professor of Entomology Department of Jahangirnagar University, told, “I have already said that the number of dengue patients will increase in September.” But the city corporation has not taken any effective initiative to control mosquitoes. In this situation, the severity of dengue may increase in October.
Professor Kabirul Bashar said, if dengue infection increases, the most emphasis should be on killing flying mosquitoes. We are yet to see any such initiative. Dengue infection is increasing in different parts of the country. In October it may take a more dire form.
Number of dengue patients and deaths is increasing every month
According to the analysis of dengue data of the Department of Health, from January 1 to October 7 this year, 37,808 dengue patients were admitted to the hospital for treatment. Among them, 16,298 people were admitted in the two cities of Dhaka and 21,510 people were admitted outside. At the same time, 188 people died due to dengue. Among them, 129 people died in two cities of Dhaka and 59 people died outside Dhaka city.
In July, the number of dengue patients across the country was 2,669, and 12 died. Among them, 473 people were infected in Dhaka North City, one person died. 676 people were infected in Dhaka South City, six died.
In August, 6,521 people were infected with dengue, 27 people died. Among them, 1,092 people were infected in Dhaka North City, one person died. 1,909 people were infected in Dhaka South City, 17 people died.
In September, 18,097 people were infected with dengue, 80 people died. Among them, 3,977 people were affected in Dhaka North City, 15 people died. 3,785 people were infected in Dhaka South City, 38 people died.
In the first seven days of this October, 6,870 people were infected with dengue, 25 people died. Among them, 1,535 people were infected in Dhaka North City, four people died. 1,179 people were infected in Dhaka South City, 12 people died. That is, the number of dengue patients and deaths is increasing by leaps and bounds every month.
Dengue causes an increase in patients
Experts see the heavy rains in August and September as the reason for the increase in dengue patients compared to the previous months of the year.
According to the information of the Meteorological Office, there has been 46 percent more rainfall than normal in August this year. Even in September, the amount of rain was not at all low. Again, there is a possibility of more rainfall than normal in this month as well, said the Meteorological Department.
When asked when the dengue infection can be under control, Kabirul Bashar said that if the amount of rainfall decreases, the infection situation will be under control within a month. However, right now it is important to determine dengue hotspots and take proper measures.
Due to which mosquito eradication program has collapsed
Dhaka North City Corporation has 54 wards and South City Corporation has 75 wards. Earlier, mosquito eradication programs were conducted in the city under the leadership of the mayor and the councilors of the respective wards. Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam and pro-Awami League councilors of two cities went into hiding after Awami League President Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and left the country on August 5. Two days before this, the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, fled the country. Later all mayors and councilors were removed by the local government department.
August 19 Additional Secretary of Local Government Department Mah. Sher Ali has been appointment as the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation and Additional Secretary Mahmudul Hasan, Director General of Local Government Department, as the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation. Even if they got the mayor’s power, mosquito eradication and public awareness programs are not being carried out like before. The mosquito eradication program has collapsed due to the absence of elected councilors at the field level.
Kamal Uddin, a resident of North Badda area, recently contracted dengue and recovered after treatment at the hospital. During the conversation, Kamal Uddin said that mosquito infestation is more common than in previous years. But the city corporation is not seen killing mosquitoes. But if you go to the hospitals, you can see that many dengue patients are receiving treatment.
Azam Road, Asad Avenue, Razia Sultana Road, Taj Mahal Road, Sher Shah Suri Road, Noorjahan Road, Zakir Hussain Road and Shahjahan Road area of Mohammadpur is ward number 31 of North City.
The former councilor of this ward, Shafiqul Islam, told, “A councilor is elected by the people’s vote. That is why he has to be accountable to the people. From that place, during the Aedes season, I conducted mosquito larva killing activities in every neighborhood from morning to night. Now that image is gone. As a result, mosquito infestation is increasing at an alarming rate.
According to the list of Dhaka South City Corporation, now there are more dengue patients in Jurain, Jatrabari, Mugda area. Every day, hundreds of people from these areas are going to different hospitals in Dhaka to get dengue treatment.
Mizanur Rahman is involved in the civil movement related to public interest in Jurain area. He told, “Low-income people live in Jurain. Now they are suffering from dengue. Dengue has attacked almost all the houses in this area. We don’t want to suffer and die from dengue anymore.’
Mizanur Rahman said, ‘Aedes mosquitoes are breeding in the drains and drains of Jurain. Mosquitoes are also breeding in abandoned flats on the ground floor of many houses. But the city corporation is not monitoring it. As a result, dengue is now taking a terrible form.
Ward number 26 of Dhaka South City with Azimpur, Palashi and Rasulbagh areas. The residents of this ward said that earlier every day at 9 am the mask workers used to come out in front of the Banani office of this ward to exterminate the mosquitoes. But after August 5, they are not seen much. One day medicine does not give seven days.
On October 3 at 9 am in front of this office, the Moshak workers were not seen.
Sabbir Hossain, a resident of AzimpurBattala, said, “Earlier, Ward Councilor Hasibur Rahman Manik used to inspect mosquito control activities from the field. But after August 5, he went into hiding. The mosquito eradication program has since collapsed. Mosquito bites all the time day and night. I have heard that many people in the neighborhood have been infected with dengue.
Regional Executive Officer of Region-3 Shafiur Rahman conducted mosquito control activities in 12 wards of DSCC including ward number 26. He claimed, ‘Earlier the way the councilors used to monitor mosquito control activities, now it is being done in the same way. As there were no councilors, it had no effect on the eradication of muskrats. And enough drugs to kill mosquitoes are also stored in the city corporation.
Formation of three monitoring teams in North City
Dhaka North City Corporation office sources said that earlier every year at the beginning of the monsoon season, they have conducted the most campaigns or programs to create public awareness on Aedes mosquito control. But this time after the fall of the government, no such initiative was taken. Only last September 19-26, they conducted a week-long special mosquito killing program to control Aedes mosquitoes.
Additional Secretary of Local Government Department and Administrator of DNCC for the proper implementation, coordination and close supervision of North City’s mosquito eradication campaign. Three monitoring teams have been formed under the leadership of Mahmudul Hasan. Each team has two officials. This monitoring team started monitoring from 24th September. This monitoring program will continue for two consecutive weeks, the agency said.
When asked, Public Relations Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Maqbool Hossain told that none of their activities have stopped in killing mosquitoes. Mikeing, distribution of leaflets, processions and house to house search for breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes are going on to increase public awareness along with mosquito killing.
Maqbul Hossain said that one lakh 21,886 houses were visited in their week-long special activities. Aedes larvae were found in 351 of these houses. These larvae are destroyed.
Dhaka South City is regularly fined
Dhaka South City Corporation health department sources said that they conduct various programs throughout the year in 75 wards to control mosquitoes. As a part of this, he is conducting various programs including running the mobile court every day. Fines are being made regularly.
When asked to know, South City Corporation Public Relations Officer Abu Nacher told that apart from the daily routine mosquito control activities, ‘special cleaning and mosquito extermination’ activities i.e. combing operations are being carried out gradually in all wards. In these campaigns, mosquito breeding grounds are being destroyed and citizens are being made aware. Besides, larviciding activities in the morning and adulticiding activities in the afternoon are also going on.
