With setting of the winter mosquito menace in the capital Dhaka is taking a serious turn gradually, giving many dwellers sleepless nights.
Most people living in different residential areas of the city have begun complaining against the increase in mosquito menace over the last few days.
The mosquitoes constant buzzing in the ears continued to give sleepless nights. Though, many people keep their windows shut after the sun set, mosquitoes in large number are entering their residences. “We all residence in our locality are suffering serious mosquito bites not only during the night, but also the day as well. And now the mosquitoes are also becoming a regular menace for us,” Mohammad Nazrul Islam, a residence of city’s Uttara area said.
Talking to a cross section of people said both indoors and outdoors, the problem is severe. Besides, city’s most drains, roadside dishes and canals always remain uncared and unclean creating favorable condition for the breeding grounds of mosquitoes.= However, both Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are seemed to reluctant in this regard.
Entomologist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Professor Mahbubur Rahman said, "Now we do not see the steps to prevent mosquitoes in Dhaka after the outbreak of dengue." On the other hand, the Aedes are low during winter, howver the Culex are very high. Particularly drainage, garbage is suitable for breeding culex, he added At the same time, the temperature is suitable for Culex. If effective measures cannot be taken to control this mosquito now, the situation will be worse in the next two to three months. Then it will be more difficult to handle, he stressed.
Director of the Institute of Pathology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Mirzadi Sabrina Flora said, "We are not saying now that dengue is out of the country.” In fact, effective measures must be taken to prevent dengue throughout the year, she added. Protecting people from this condition must continue mosquito repellent or control. There is no chance to give up from preventing mosquitos, she further said.
In this regard Brigadier General Md Sharif Ahmed, Chief health officer of Dhaka South City Corporations (DSSC) said, "Now we have minimized the work to prevent dengue, but controlling of mosquitoes is not stopped.” In fact, we did a survey on Culex mosquitoes last month and found that its concentration was higher. Accordingly, we launched a one-time crash program earlier this month. We will start another round of crush programs from December 1, he added.
The official said, "Our problem with killing mosquitoes that we cannot enter everywhere. Many installations or areas that are covered or stored. This is our key limitation.' Regarding pesticides, the official said, "There is no shortage of drugs now. Rather, we have enhanced its effectiveness by adding some new ingredients to the previous drug. '
Brigadier General Mominur Rahman Mamun, chief health officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, said, "We have noticed that mosquitoes are growing." But we did not stop the work. Rather, we are doing three types of work.” Among these are drug application, cleanliness and awareness. Without public awareness, controlling mosquitoes or controlling mosquitoes is really a difficult task, he marked.
