The dengue outbreak has spread all over the country, including the capital, Dhaka. The number of dengue patients is increasing every day. Some dengue patients have already died in several districts. Entomologists said the dengue situation is becoming severe due to the halt of the anti-mosquito drive and lack of awareness.
According to a statement by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday, five more dengue patients died and 927 others were hospitalised in the past 24 hours till Saturday morning in the country. During the period, 432 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 495 patients were admitted to different hospitals outside the capital. A total of 716 dengue patients were released from the hospital during this period.
The total number of dengue cases rose to 35,365 nationwide till Saturday. Out of them, 31,504 patients have been released from the hospitals across the country. The dengue death toll has risen to 182 so far this year.
After the recent political change, the interim government first removed all city mayors, Zilla parishad chairmen, upazila chairmen, and municipality mayors. Later on September 26, all councillors of 12 city corporations were removed. On September 29, the local government division was directed to form separate committees to perform the duties of the city and municipality councillors. Administrators have been made chiefs of the committees while chief executive officers have been made member secretaries. Committees of two city corporations of Dhaka consist of 25 members respectively. Representatives from various organisations including Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Rajuk, and National Housing Authority have been included in the two committees. These representatives will perform the duties of city councillors.
Similarly, committees will be formed at 10 other city corporations and all municipalities. Besides, 20 regional chief executive officers under the two city corporations in Dhaka have been asked to do the job of councillors in a separate order on September 30. However, those who have been given charge, have regular duty. Only 70 officials have been given the charge of 172 removed councillors. The dengue menace is increasing as these officials are absent at the respective councillor office and lack of mosquito control pesticides and enough machinery. The LGRD ministry has formed a six-member committee to curb the dengue. But there are no practical activities are seen by the committee. There is no positive outcome to the regular spray of mosquito repellent. As a result, the dengue outbreak is rising in the country.
Entomologist Professor Dr. Kabirul Bashar said fixing hotspot-centring dengue patients is needed. Under the hotspot system, Aedes mosquitoes will have to be crushed by the fogging machine around 200 metres from a house or area where people are infected with dengue. Breeding source management is mandatory alongside hotspot management. Accumulated water management is also important to curb mosquito breeding. City dwellers will have to be engaged in this work alongside the city corporation.
He also said that city dwellers will have to ensure that there will be no mosquito breeding places at their houses and in front of houses. If needed, they can call city corporation staff to destroy the mosquito larvae.
“We have been saying for long days that pesticides to kill the mosquito larvae will have to be available as like aerosol and coil. Citizens should have the facility to control mosquitoes by themselves,” he added.
@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 6, 2024, and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.
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