The mosquito-borne dengue infection in the country has declined considerably this year following effective measures taken by the city corporations.

Well designed and timely action on destroying mosquito breeding sites have contributed to such success in preventing transmission of dengue infection. Initiative taken by both the city corporations in the capital to destroy the breeding ground of Aedes mosquitoes, that transmit dengue virus, has yielded good results, officials concerned said.

This year, just only one death has been reported on suspicion of dengue so far and the dengue infection cases are much lower compared to previous years, according to health directorate.

According to a report by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 393 people were infected with dengue this year, of them 199 in January, 24 in February, 27 in March, 25 April, 10 in May, 20 in June and 23 in July and 44 in this month (till August 18).

Last year, more than 1 lakh people were infected and at least 164 people died of dengue fever across Bangladesh. Reviewing 263 reports of dengue-related deaths, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) confirmed 164 dengue deaths last year.

The deaths included two in April, six in June, 35 in July, 83 in August, 25 in September, 11 in October and 2 in November.

According to experts, monsoon is the favorable time for breeding of Aedes mosquito, bearer of dengue virus. However, there is no significant rise in dengue infection during the monsoon this year. Dr Ayesha Akter, assistant director of the control room of DGHS, told Bangladesh Post, “Currently, there are some 13 dengue patients in the government and private hospitals undergoing treatment for dengue in the country. Although 393 cases were reported this year, most of them were infected in January. Besides, one death has been reported on suspicion of dengue so far this year.”

“In last 24 hours two patients were admitted to hospital in Dhaka. No patient with complaints of dengue infection has been admitted outside Dhaka,” she added.

Meanwhile, authorities at Dhaka South and North City Corporations have strengthened the mosquito-eradicating programmes as houses and establishments turned into conducive spots for mosquito breeding.

DNCC has been conducting 3rd phase combing operation in its jurisdiction in order to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya, DNCC sources said.

On Tuesday (third day of combing operation), DNCC’s mobile court visited some 71 households and fined Tk 39 thousands in four separate cases on the offense of finding favourable Adedes mosquito breeding sites.

Earlier, the DNCC conducted a combing operation (cleanliness programme) in the first phase from June 6-15, 2020 with Aedes larvae being found in some 1,601 establishments and fined them some Tk 24 lakh, the city officials said.

About DNCC’s drive, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said, “Taking last year’s dengue experience in mind, we are conducting anti-mosquito drive all the year round. Now we are conducting third phase operation. I hope, we will be able to keep the people of Dhaka safe from dengue outbreak.”

On the other hand, officials at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) said that the mosquito-control initiatives were underway in all its wards since June 7, 2020. Each ward has been divided into 10 areas to carry out the operations at all establishments.

DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said that regular initiatives to eradicate mosquitoes have been redesigned from top to bottom and the new action plan has been adapted for its 75 wards.

“An eight-member team is working at each ward from 9am to 1pm with another 10-member team spraying insecticide with fogger machines from 2:30pm to 6:30pm,” he added.