Dengue fight intensifies as toll nears 90
The government has given the highest priority to preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, with authorities stepping up efforts to eliminate breeding grounds and strengthen the technical effectiveness of mosquito-control measures.
Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan made the remarks at an emergency meeting of the National Taskforce Committee on dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases at the Secretariat on Sunday.
The minister said authorities were working to identify mosquito breeding grounds and prevent water from accumulating in those locations.
“Efforts are being made to destroy mosquito breeding grounds, while research and technical capabilities are being strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of mosquito-control medicines,” he said.
He acknowledged the difficulties of controlling mosquitoes in large and densely populated areas such as Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Gazipur, saying the city corporations were making all-out efforts despite limited resources.
Moyeen Khan stressed that mosquito breeding sites must be identified systematically and steps taken to stop water from accumulating there.
The government is also reviewing the effectiveness of mosquito-control medicines with support from Japan and other developed countries, the minister said.
Experts from universities have also been involved in the research and review process, he added.
Moyeen Khan emphasised that strengthening technical capabilities would be necessary alongside efforts to raise public awareness.
State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, who presided over the meeting, said the number of dengue patients had fallen by nearly half this year compared with last year.
He said city corporations were conducting cleanliness drives, spraying programmes and awareness campaigns as part of mosquito-control efforts.
According to information provided by the state minister, around 90 people had died while undergoing treatment after contracting dengue from January this year until August 30.
Alam urged people to regularly clean discarded tyres, plastic containers and other places where water can accumulate.
He called on residents to check such potential breeding sites in their homes, rooftops, balconies and surrounding areas.
Public awareness, alongside government measures, would play an important role in preventing dengue, he said.
Secretaries of the Local Government Division and Health Division, the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, officials from Dhaka North and South City Corporations, chief health officers of 13 city corporations and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
Officials from 11 city corporations outside Dhaka joined the meeting virtually.
The meeting was held as part of the government’s coordinated response to dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, with emphasis on breeding-ground control, effective mosquito-control measures, technical capacity and public participation.
