City corporations must take steps to contain the alarming dengue outbreak trend

The country has already seen the death of 12 dengue patients before the beginning of the monsoon, while 1,261 others were hospitalised till Wednesday. The numbers indicate alarming signs of a massive dengue outbreak this year. Experts urged the city corporations to take necessary steps to contain the mosquito-borne virus from spreading. They also urged the government to pay more attention to areas outside Dhaka, as the number of dengue patients is simultaneously increasing outside the capital.

Surveillance is an important aspect, in which we are lagging. It is also important to know the types of active viruses based on their locations to take proper control measures. The total number of dengue-related deaths last year was 281, while 62,382 cases in total were recorded. Of them, 23,162 were from outside Dhaka. Entomologists said the situation is still under control but the number of patients is increasing every day. A higher density of Aedes mosquitoes have been noticed outside Dhaka, especially in Chattogram and Barishal, compared to the previous months. Experts have suggested conducting breeding source management which is very important to control Aedes mosquitoes on both household and organisational levels. Involving all the relevant government organisations to get better results instead of depending only on city corporations and the health directorate is also imperative.

Surveillance is an important aspect, in which we are lagging. It is also very important to know the types of active viruses based on their locations to take proper control measures. The city corporations have already conducted various anti-mosquito drives. The city authorities are also issuing letters to all the organisations asking them to destroy mosquito breeding sources at their houses or quarters. We will conduct mobile court drives strictly from June and take action against those responsible if we find Aedes mosquitoes or larva.

As city dwellers, every household should take responsibility for their own area, thus mosquitoes cannot breed there, while ward councillors, political and social leaders should run campaigns to make people aware.