Dengue turns full-blown in Dhaka, infecting 66 people a day on average in the wake of floodwater run-off as the deluge released a disease epidemic.

As many as 1,540 people have been taken ill with dengue this monsoon dengue-breeding season, according to the health directorate control room.

Apart from the vector of dengue, Aedes mosquito, Culex mosquitoes have also increased because of stagnated floodwaters, turning the city into a virtual mosquito-breeding ground.

Dhaka City Corporation stopped

spraying insecticide only from July 25 to August 3 and a huge volume of rain and floodwaters forced the DCC to suspend its anti-mosquito drive.

"Mosquitoes bite not only at night, but in the day as well," said Mazharul Islam, a Basabo resident, adding: "We can't go out because of filthy floodwaters, nor can we stay at home because of the mosquito menace."

Like Islam, many residents of Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, Madartek, Badda, Gulshan, Banani and Dhanmondi accused the DCC of inactivity. Last week, a ward commissioner in Demra, also blamed the corporation in public for the mosquito menace.

"Floods added to surface water and provided a breeding ground for

mosquitoes. We will take a large-scale action to control the breeding of mosquitoes," said DCC Chief Health Officer Azizul Hoque.

The deadly dengue has landed at least 300 people in the city's hospitals and clinics for treatment and killed nine since July 15.

Two-year-old Dyuti diagnosed with dengue at Lab Aid was crying in pain when she was taken to the diagnostic centre for blood test for the fifth time. Her parents were also crying and asked the lab assistant not to inject her again -- a common scene at diagnostic centres.

"She (Dyuti) cannot stand it," said Dyuti's mother Bilkis, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Ibne Sina, another diagnostic centre, found 1,073 people infected

with acute dengue from early July to August 4, Lab Aid diagnosed 1,309, Popular Diagnostic Centre 1,114 and Medinova 986.

"People are now aware of dengue and rush to hospital in the early stage of infection," said Dr Harunor Rashid of Dhaka Medical Collage Hospital.

Despite the alarming situation, the DCC remains silent on mosquito control, experts alleged, pointing to the need for a survey on aedes population.

The health directorate records show that the number of people infected with dengue was 486 with 10 deaths last year and 6,132 people were infected in 2002 and 58 of them died.