Mosquito infestation in Dhaka has reached an alarming level.
The infestation of Culex mosquito has increased in huge numbers in different areas of Dhaka south and north city corporations.
According to a study conducted in Savar, Jahangirnagar University (JU) and the two city corporation areas, Culex mosquitoes have increased by 40 per cent in March than in January.
Entomologists have said there are 123 species of mosquitoes in our country. Of them, 16 species have high prevalence.
Culex is more than 95 per cent of the few species of mosquitoes that exist throughout the year in different parts of the country, including the capital.
Culex mosquito bites can cause filariasis and various other skin diseases.
They have been observing the mosquitoes by setting up traps in different places, including Jatrabari, Dakkhinkhan, Uttara, Mirpur, Savar and several areas on JU campus.
The average mosquito count, the highest in sector- 17 in Uttara, was 600. It is followed by Dakkhinkhan. However, the severity of the mosquito infestation is comparatively lower in the DSCC.
Despite that, the average mosquito count in Jatrabari was more than 400. Mosquito infestation is comparatively more severe in Hazaribagh, Shyampur and Meradia.
Professor of zoology at the Jahangirnagar University, Kabirul Bashar, led this study.
The situation would be very critical if the mosquito infestation is not curbed immediately, he said. Whatever the researchers or victims say, it does not seem the relevant authorities are showing much initiative. Instead, they are busy shifting blame onto others.
According to media reports, Local Government Minister Tajul Islam and DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam experienced swam of mosquitoes while attending a cleaning drive of a lake in a RAJUK project in the capital Wednesday.
About the severity of mosquito infestation, DNCC’s chief health officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes said, “The main reason behind the high mosquito manifestation in Uttara is the canals under the control of the RAJUK . We can’t work there.” This is a lame excuse.
The institutions that are responsible for the spread of mosquitoes should be held accountable, no matter how powerful they are.
The number of dengue infections and deaths broke all previous records last year. Monsoon is ahead.
At this time, there is a high risk of accumulation of dirty water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Thus coordinated and effective initiatives are urgently needed to eradicate mosquitoes instead of shifting blame on others.
Alongside the city corporations, the citizens also should remain cautious in this regard.
Everyone has to pledge that they must not let water accumulate in their vicinity.
