Authorities at Dhaka South and North city corporations have strengthened the mosquito-eradicating programmes as houses and establishments turned favorable for mosquito breeding.
Nearly 70 percent establishments in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) are favorable for breeding Aedes aegypti mosquito, the bearer of dengue disease, according to a DNCC survey.
Taking the last year’s dengue experiences into consideration, both city authorities have already launched a year-long drive to fight the mosquito menace.
On Saturday, the DNCC launched a 6-day drive against mosquito in more than 200 hospitals in to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya.
City staffer will be spraying insecticide with fogger machines to kill mosquito larvae from 4:30pm to 6:30pm daily.
Earlier, the DNCC conducted a combing operation (cleanliness programme) in a first phase from June 6-15 with Aedes larvae being found in some 1,601 establishments and fined them some Tk 24 lakh, the city officials said.
A total of 134,135 houses and establishments were inspected in 54 wards during the drive. Some 89,626 establishments are found to have suitable environment for Aedes mosquito breeding – a 67 percent of total structures under DNCC jurisdiction.
The authorities warned of severe punishment including imprisonment in case anyone is found convicted of same crime repeatedly.
During the combing operation, details of each establishment including images, addresses, contact numbers, as well as other necessary information related to the anti- mosquito drives were being stored in an app.
With this data, the DNCC will create a database of Aedes mosquitoes breeding areas to monitor its entire jurisdiction.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said they have planned to conduct the second phase of the combing operation next month.
The mayor also appreciated the role the role of DNCC’s ward councilors and officials as well as newspersons during first phase of combing operation amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“I hope you all will remain with us during the second phase of drive,” Atiqul added.
Meanwhile, officials at the DSCC said that the mosquito-controlling initiatives have got under way in its all wards since June 7.
Each ward has been divided into 10 areas to carry out the operations at all establishments.
DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said that regular mosquito-eradicating initiatives have been redesigned from top to bottom and the new action plan has been adapted for its 75 wards.
The mayor said, “An eight-member team is working at each ward from 9am to 1pm whit another 10-member team spraying insecticide with fogger machines from 2:30pm to 6:30pm.
“City dwellers should also play their role by removing the stagnant water from the houses its surroundings areas,” he urged.
