It supersedes imagination what a disastrous damage a tiny insect like mosquito can inflict on human health. Battle has been waged against this small but sinister creature since time immemorial, but it flopped miserably. Mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in human history for thousands of years as a leading cause of severe illness and death. Mosquitoes are among the deadliest creatures on earth, killing human lives than any other animals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already issued warning that owing to climate change, half of the world’s population is now at the grave risk of dengue, with Bangladesh being no exception. And against this backdrop, the world observed World Mosquito Day on August 20 which has been there since 1930. According to the Disease Control Unit of the Directorate General of Health Services, the number of confirmed dengue cases rose to nearly 27,000 till Monday last this year and the number of deaths remained at 105.
The World Mosquito Day is highly significant in Bangladesh. As a warm and humid country, Bangladesh climate is ideal for mosquito breeding. As many as 126 species of mosquitoes have been identified in Bangladesh and the high density and diversity of mosquito species mean greater risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Major mosquito-borne diseases in Bangladesh include dengue, chikungunya, malaria, filariasis and encephalitis. With dengue outbreaks escalating alarmingly towards the end of the monsoon season, public health experts have warned of a potentially severe health crisis and urged the authorities concerned to take stronger measures to curb the spread of the disease across the country. They cautioned that the outbreak may persist and even intensify for another two months.
It is not the responsibility of just one
or two departments to eliminate mosquitoes
and so, the authorities must strengthen their
efforts in a coordinated way to
contain the dengue outbreak
While there are government initiatives, we have not succeeded in our fight against mosquitoes, and will not do so unless the root causes are addressed vigorously. These include inadequate drainage, poor waste management, and a lack of sustained community engagement that are responsible for mosquito breeding sites to only multiply. Simply spraying insecticides everywhere will not effectively control mosquitoes and reduce disease transmission.
It is not the responsibility of just one or two departments to eliminate mosquitoes and so, the authorities must strengthen their efforts in a coordinated way to contain the dengue outbreak. Experts voiced alarm as severe fevers are being reported across the country and many cases may not be diagnosed as dengue due to limitations in testing. Citizens are also to adopt preventive measures to protect themselves. Dengue, according to experts, has extended beyond the monsoon and into the winter months, raising fears that the outbreak may continue well past its usual seasonal peak.
Mosquito control is primarily the responsibility of local government bodies—city corporations, municipalities, districts, upzila and union councils which need trained mosquito control personnel and entomologists. So, the country must adopt a multi-faceted, science driven approach.
It is time for measures that treat this health crisis with the seriousness it has long demanded. The strengthening of surveillance systems to enhance coordination among health, environment, and urban planning authorities is indispensable now. With dengue season upon us, we must act seriously now to save lives, prevent public suffering, and avoid economic losses for which Bangladesh needs a sustainable and well-implemented plan. Only the coordinated action between the local government ministry, health ministry, entomologists, researchers and other stakeholders can protect Bangladesh from the deadly threats of mosquito-borne diseases.
