FROM PAGE 12

Experts say these figures reflect persistent shortcomings in preparedness and response. Outdated strategies, weak planning, and the absence of a comprehensive policy have contributed to the steady rise in dengue infections.

They noted that Bangladesh lacks a comprehensive system to identify and track dengue patients throughout the year. As a result, many infections remain uncounted, undermining mosquito control efforts.

While fogging and chemical spraying are the most visible measures for controlling mosquitoes, they often fail to destroy hidden breeding sites in both cities and villages, the experts noted.

They warned that efforts to control Aedes will remain ineffective without a science-based and coordinated programme supported by nationwide monitoring.

Emphasising a home-to-home awareness campaign, Bashar said that under such a programme, workers of city corporations and relevant authorities would visit households to assess their surroundings and educate residents about preventive methods.

“Citizens should be trained through this home-to-home approach. Each house could have a sticker or pictures on the front door, pointing out where Aedes mosquitoes breed.”

He also suggested expanding similar initiatives outside Dhaka.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

Experts have been calling for the formation of an integrated vector management unit since the massive dengue outbreak in 2019, but their suggestions have yet to move beyond paper.

Following the outbreak, when Bangladesh recorded more than 100,000 cases for the first time, the LGRD ministry prepared a proposal for establishing a vector control cell, said Bashar.

According to the proposal, the cell would serve as the central authority for mosquito control. It would conduct research on insecticides, monitor mosquito density and diversity, study seasonal trends, develop prediction models, and introduce early warning systems.

However, the ministry did not move forward with the proposal, which now remains shelved, said sources.

Entomologist GM Saifur Rahman, an associate professor at the National University, said the identification of mosquito breeding sites is the first step towards long-term control.

“Once the breeding sites are identified, Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) should be applied there… When water accumulates in containers or stagnant water, mosquitoes will hatch. Bti can destroy the larvae.”

Bti is a naturally occurring soil bacterium used as a biological pesticide to control mosquitoes and black flies without harming people, pets, beneficial insects, or wildlife.

Given the current temperatures, rains could allow mosquitoes to mature within a week.

The authorities should assess mosquito density, identify hotspots, and establish a dedicated mosquito control cell responsible for logistics, equipment, insecticides, and field operations, Saifur said.

He pointed out that dengue cases in Bangladesh once remained between 2,000 and 5,000 annually but have surpassed 100,000 in recent years.

Mentioning climate change as a contributing factor, he said, “Winter has become shorter. Earlier, winter helped reduce mosquito populations significantly, but now its impact is much less.

“Because of Bangladesh’s high population density, dengue cases could easily jump from one lakh to 10 lakh.”

GOVT MEASURES

Abul Khair Mohammad Hafizullah Khan, joint secretary (Planning Branch-2) of the Local Government Division, said the government took up a Tk 1,181 crore project titled “Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services Project” in 2023, with vector management as one of its main components.

However, the World Bank-funded project was stalled due to the incorrect use of economic codes in the Development Project Proposal (DPP). The project is scheduled to run till June 2028.

“Unless the DPP is corrected, no spending or physical work of the project can begin,” Hafizullah said, adding that funds have already been allocated and a revised draft of the DPP has been sent to the LGRD ministry for approval.

Preparatory work is underway so that the project, which includes upgrading the Mosquito Control Department, can move ahead quickly once it is approved, he added.

Brig Gen Imru-al-Quais, chief health officer of DNCC, said the city corporation’s technical committee, headed by its administrator, will sit this week to discuss the overall situation and ways to strengthen measures to control Aedes mosquitoes.

The committee is responsible for preparing action plans, providing guidelines, assessing the effectiveness of insecticides, and deciding on the introduction of new ones.

He said 90 supervisors have already received training on identification of Aedes breeding sources and larvae.

DNCC carried out a four-day drive in 536 schools at the end of last month, focusing on fogging and the removal of stagnant water from containers and flower pots.

Quais said DNCC, in collaboration with BRAC, will launch a three-month programme soon to reduce Aedes breeding sources in 25 high-risk wards. “Local residents will also be engaged in it.”

Besides, teams of data collectors will soon start visiting hospitals to collect addresses of dengue patients and carry out targeted interventions in the affected areas.

DSCC Chief Health Officer Jahane Ferdous-Binte Rahman said they conducted a month-long programme from February 29 to eliminate hotspots of adult mosquitoes and larvae.

She said workers and supervisors will be given training over the next two weeks, with a focus on identification and destruction of mosquito breeding grounds.

DSCC will distribute leaflets from door to door as part of efforts to raise public awareness, said said, adding, “Since mosquito proliferation is closely linked to waste management, we will work in coordination with the waste department of the city corporation.”