At least 24 people have died of dengue fever across the country in the current month of August, signalling an alarming dengue situation in the coming months. August and September are considered to be peak season for the breeding of Aedes mosquito responsible for dengue disease.
Besides, more than 250 people were hospitalised with dengue in the capital city of Dhaka, other metropolitan cities and towns during the period.
Last year, the country recorded a total of 1,705 deaths from dengue and 3,21,179 dengue cases.
Despite continued rise in dengue cases, the authorities concerned have not yet taken any effective steps to combat the mosquito-borne disease.
Health experts fear that dengue situation may take an alarming turn in the country this year due to massive breeding of Aedes mosquito casused by heavy rain.
Dengue cases and deaths may exceed all previous records this year as the number of cases and fatalities continue to rise, they said and asked the authorities to launch a massive anti-mosquito drive.
Authorities concerned have
not yet taken any effective
steps to combat the mosquito
borne disease.
Rising temperature and longer monsoon the country experiencing because of climate change are suitable for the breeding of Aedes mosquito.
As the mayors, councillors, and many employees of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been removed after the fall of Awami League government, basic services, especially mosquito control activities are being badly affected.
Out of 129, at least 118 ward councillors of DSCC and DNCC have remained absent from their workplaces since the political changeover. Pesticides and fogger machines are usually kept in the store rooms of the councillors’ offices.
The interim government has removed mayors of the 12 city corporations, including DSCC and DNCC and appointed administrators there.
The newly appointed administrators of the city corporations have to launch anti-mosquito drive soon to prevent the spread of fatal dengue disease.
We should also keep in mind that there is no alternative to healthy environment for our healty life, so, people from all walks of life need to be involved in clean-up activities.