Desk Report: The dengue menace is highest in Dhaka comparing to the last five years. Directorate General of Health Services in a survey has found that 66 percent areas in Dhaka North have 98 percent residences with aedes mosquito breeding grounds. Meantime, 61 percent areas in Dhaka South have 93 percent residences susceptive to dengue fever. Aedes larvae and pupae were found at the residences, reports Asian Age.
The survey covered 100 areas of 93 wards of the two Dhaka cities. The samples were taken from 59 areas of Dhaka South and 41 areas of Dhaka North. It was conducted for 10 day at 998 houses. “We carried out the pre-monsoon survey in May and handed it over to the two city corporations for necessary steps,” said MM Akhtaruzzaman manager of DGHS Malaria and Dengue program.
Aedes mosquito, also known as yellow fever mosquito, bred in cans, buckets, discarded tires and other sorts of containers holding stagnant water. Ringing alarm, experts urged authorities concerned and people to take prompt action to destroy the larvae of aedes mosquitoes, carrier of the virus, in neighborhoods.
However, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon asked residents not to panic. However, the affected people and the city dwellers blamed the city corporations’ failure to prevent the outbreak of dengue in the city. The two city corporations have been claiming that it is challenging to combat the mosquito as it breeds on clean water. City corporation staffs often do not get permission to enter into houses, governmental and non-governmental establishments. In this case, awareness has no alternative.
Dhaka North City Corporation Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Md Zakir Hassan claimed that they are trying their best to prevent aedes from breeding, as well as creating public awareness Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Dr Sheikh Salahuddin emphasized on individual-level awareness to combat the dengue outbreak in the city.