City Corporation failed to control dengue

Dhaka residents are suffering for the failure of the local government and Dhaka City Corporation. Now every person in the capital is at risk of dengue. Hospitals are overflowing with dengue patients. Even some hospitals cannot afford to admit patients due to the limitations. Around a thousand people are already getting infected with dengue in Dhaka city daily. On the other hand for the first time the death toll is is also high. Currently, the dengue-carrying Aedes mosquito has emerged as a national disaster.

Experts say that city corporations and municipalities are responsible for mosquito control issue. These institutions work under the Ministry of Local Government. The peoples of Dhaka say that the City Corporation and the Ministry of Local Government have failed to prevent the spread of dengue and in consequence the mass people have become the the icon of victims. 

More allotment but no result 

Two city corporations of Dhaka have received massive allocations for mosquito control; but finally the result is zero. The officials of the control room of the health department say that 700 to 800 people are being admitted into the hospital daily due to dengue. In contrast, the two city corporations have spent 387 crore taka in 6 years, with an average stands of of 64 crore 50 lakh taka per year. However, the mosquitoes have not come under control rather the ratio of increment is high. Even if mosquitoes cannot be controlled, but the budget for mosquito control not decreasing rather increases every year. 

In the financial year 2022-23, the two city corporations have allocated Tk 147 crore for mosquito control. North City had an allocation of Tk 101 crore and South City Tk 45.75 crore. Despite allocating so much money, both the city corporations have failed to kill mosquitoes. Usually, after a sudden rain for a few days, mosquitoes will increase. And we know it’s the ideal time for mosquito breeding. Apart from this there are some other factors which are caused by people made unconsciousness. 

Ineffective pesticides

Currently used pesticides to kill mosquitoes in Dhaka city have become more ineffective. Because science is saying, mosquitoes have developed their immunity system against the same insecticides over a long period of time. As a result, this insecticides are no longer effective to kill mosquitoes.

Mahbubur Rahman, a resident of Badda, complained that when fogging is spreading to kill mosquitoes, the flying mosquitoes stay on the ground for a short while and after decreasing the amount of smoke they fly again as before.

In this regard, Professor SM Mizanur Rahman, head of the department of entomology of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, said that if the same insecticide is used for a long time, mosquitoes can become resistant to it. Pesticides used in Dhaka have been used for many years. As a result, all mosquitoes, including Aedes-Culex, have been able to develop resistance against this drug. If mosquitoes develop resistance to an insecticide, it is difficult to kill their offspring with the same insecticide the next time. 

Disregarding survey results

Last March, the Department of Health conducted a survey on the density of Aedes mosquitoes in two city corporations of Dhaka and informed the concerned stakeholders through a press conference. They presented the results of another survey earlier this July. Directorate of Health has recommended measures to be taken by identifying where the density of mosquitoes is high in Dhaka City.

In the press conference, senior officials of the Directorate said that every person in Dhaka City is at risk of dengue. The purpose of conducting such a survey stands as for pre preventive measure as the City Corporation can take action in advance. Despite this, the city corporation has practically failed to eradicate mosquitoes. 

The Health Department conducts a survey every year to know the mosquito situation in Dhaka city before and after the monsoon; But the corporation never takes these recommendations into keen consideration.

The main reason for increasing Aedes mosquitoes  

Professor Kabirul Bashar of Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University conducted many research regarding the breeding system of mosquitoes. According to him, the incidence of dengue is high due to several reasons. Eggs of Aedes mosquito do not spoil even if they are stored in a dry place for six to eight months. In the meantime, if they get opportunity to conduct with water, moisture then they able to hatch and spread larvae. As a result, the eggs that were silent  during the dry season have become now larvae due to the rainy season. 

Besides, the density of Aedes mosquitoes is increasing due to intermittent rains. Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in containers used in construction. Not only that, when a building is constructed, the floor along with the structure of the building is first made. After the construction of the structure of the entire building is completed, work is started on the floors. As a result, water accumulates in half-finished floors for months, and Aedes regularly lay eggs and breed there. As there is less space between the two buildings in Dhaka so there is no one to oversee the issue whether Aedes lays its eggs or not. This issue is not only for the Dhaka, but also these sorts of under construction is observing in the villages across the country. 

Failed to raise awareness

Those concerned have failed to sensitize the public about the dangers of dengue fever or Aedes mosquitoes. If we were aware, the spread of dengue could be reduced to some extent. Even if you sleep during the day, you should use a mosquito net, might be  this information has not reached ye. Moreover, people from the slum areas of Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Mugda, Basabo, Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Mohammadpur, Mirpur are coming to the hospital due to dengue in a massive ratio. As w found that awareness among these areas people is low. Moreover, many people in slum areas sleep without mosquito nets in this summer. Also another group sleeps on the sidewalk without mosquito nets. We think,  The City Corporation can provide them free mosquito nets. 

All types of dengue are active

IEDCR doctors say that there are four serotypes of dengue, all of which are affecting people. Directorate General of the Department of Health Prof. ABM Khurshid Alam said that the risk is high if in previous any person had been infected with dengue, he or she has high possibility to be infected with another stereotype.

Even if someone is infected with dengue type-1, he can later be infected with type-2, 3, 4 with high risk. 

The symptoms of Dengue fever are- body ache, headache and pain behind the eyes. The danger increases only after the fever subsides. Needs to notice that 48 hours after recovery from fever is more important. Doctors said that dehydration may occurs in the body during this time and various complications may arise which is risk for life. Especially children are more at risk in this case. So if children are infected with dengue, parents should be very conscious about feeding more fluids after the fever subsides.