Dengue task force to continue drives

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam on Wednesday said the National Task Force Committee formed to oversee dengue prevention activities during the monsoon season will continue regular monitoring and anti-mosquito drives at homes and commercial establishments across the capital.

The minister made the remarks while inspecting an Aedes mosquito detection and larva destruction campaign at several establishments on Roads 107 and 112 in Gulshan-2.

He said the operation was part of the nationwide activities being carried out by the task force committee to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. Emphasising the importance of public participation in dengue prevention, Mir Shahe Alam called on city residents to maintain cleanliness in and around their homes, including balconies, rooftops, rooftop gardens and ground-floor areas, where stagnant water can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“Residents should take necessary precautions and keep their premises clean to prevent mosquito breeding and protect themselves from dengue,” he said.

The minister noted that sustained monitoring and coordinated action are essential during the monsoon season, when the risk of mosquito-borne diseases typically increases.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Kayes said the corporation has been implementing a three-month programme to control dengue-carrying mosquitoes during the rainy season.

Under the initiative, DNCC is conducting regular awareness campaigns and cleanliness drives at households across its jurisdiction to reduce mosquito breeding and raise public awareness about dengue prevention, he said.

He also urged residents to cooperate with city authorities by removing stagnant water from rooftops, balconies and other areas of their homes.

“Public cooperation is crucial in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and reducing the spread of dengue,” he said.

As part of the enforcement drive, DNCC Executive Magistrate Marufa Akter Neli imposed a fine of Tk 50,000 on the owner of Choice Restaurant for violating mosquito control regulations.

Authorities said inspection and enforcement activities will continue alongside awareness campaigns as part of broader efforts to curb the spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon season.