The capital city Dhaka is again at a great risk of dengue outbreak this year, compared to the last couple of years, as stagnant water remains on top of various structures in all under-construction buildings across the city and in low lying areas, familiar as the abundant breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.
According to data from the DGHS control room, 199 dengue patients were hospitalized in different hospitals across the country till yesterday. It was 28,429 in 2021 and 1,405 in 2020. Trapped under the situation, experts asked authorities concerned to take immediate steps to address the mounting situation, saying, “The density of Aedes mosquitoes found in pre-monsoon surveys this year is higher than that of 2020 and 2021.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive survey under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) shows worrying scenarios of breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes abundantly present here and there at this season. The stagnant water on top of many such structures of the under-construction building are the breeding grounds which have been detected from Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue and other areas. The scenario reveals that the survey of DGHS conducted between March 23 and April 4 spotlighted the danger of the situation.
Meanwhile, the DNCC is also putting novaluron tablets in water meters at homes, which will prevent growth of Aedes mosquitoes for 90 days as Novaluron is an insect growth regulator that slowly kills insects over a few days. Meanwhile, DSCC also conducted a three-day special drive in seven of its wards in the capital.
Apart from its regular activities, DNCC has released huge quantities of guppy fish in different water bodies. DNCC Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Md Zobaidur Rahman in his assessment pointed out “We have been releasing guppy fish for the last two months in canals, other water bodies and drains of DNCC areas, and have already covered 90 percent of the locations”. “The fish eat mosquito larvae, and we are getting good results already,” hee said.
Entomologist Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University outlined the problem in a serious manner from a professional angle spotlighting the mounting menace and threat that might be a menace for the human being. In this situation ahead, the coordinated action by the administration, health department, city Corporations, political-social leaders needed in this humanitarian effort in the best interest of humanity.
