Failure of Dhaka to tackle the spread of dengue in the country last year, is leading experts to expect similar consequences this year. As tackling dengue remained a super challenge for the city corporations. They point out seven major obstacles to tackling dengue. Development works adjacent areas, construction compounds, BRTC bus depots, traffic department dumping stations, bus terminals, waterlogged drainage network, rooftop gardening, unprotected water reservoirs etc, where Aedes mosquito find suitable for breeding.
According to them, dengue has not been eliminated even though the number of patients has slowed down slightly. Dengue may spread again if it starts raining in June-July. Dengue control in Dhaka is very difficult especially due to population density and environment, experts reiterated to this correspondent.
In October last year, mosquito-borne diseases became prevalent, first spreading to Dhaka and then across the country. However, the responsibility goes to the Dhaka North and South city corporations. Unprotected and unclean reservoirs of Dhaka have become mosquito breeding factories. In these reservoirs floating dabs, chips packets, one-time plastic, are apt for Aedes mosquitoes hatching eggs in bottles of water.
Meanwhile, two city corporations of Dhaka have started work to create public awareness. Through advocacy meetings in different areas, they are trying to persuade the citizens. Experts have urged the city corporations, as well as other service organizations, to tackle these obstacles. Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Department Professor at the Jahangirnagar University(JU) Adil Muhammad Khan said, “canals and drains play an important role in the spread of mosquitoes. Its main governing body is WASA.”
The vehicle dumping station is under police control. Above all, two city corporations and related organizations have to work together to control dengue and mosquitoes, starting from citizens, he added. In this regard, Jamal Mostafa, acting mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) said, there was no alternative to public awareness to control dengue. Advocacy meetings are being held in each zone to create public awareness. Newspapers and advertisements are being distributed in the media.
Apart from this, raids are being conducted in different dwellings. Holdings in which Aedes mosquito larvae are found are being initially warned. They will be fined later if they are not aware, he added. Replying to a question, he said a meeting was held with the entomologists. The meeting has decided to send a letter to all the organizations involved in dengue control, including Dhaka WASA.
He said a letter would be sent to these organizations soon. Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health Officer (CHO) Brigadier General Dr Md Sharif Ahmed said that besides the regular work of the city corporation under Dengue control, other organizations have been requested to be aware.
Meanwhile, letters have been sent to the concerned agencies including Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for the destruction of the Aedes mosquito breeding ground. He also mentioned that legal action would be taken against them if they were not aware, adding that Dhaka South City Corporation employees were visiting 50 houses every day since March to find larvae of Aedes mosquitoes.
According to the Department of Health, a special program is underway to control mosquitoes in six wards at risk of dengue. He also said, morning to afternoon routine work was underway to eliminate mosquitoes in other wards.