FROM PAGE 12

Entomologist GM Saifur Rahman of National University attributed the rise in cases to weather conditions and weak mosquito control measures.

“This year, humidity, temperature and rainfall are all high, creating ideal conditions for dengue transmission,” he said.

He said Bangladesh has failed to effectively control Aedes mosquito populations for several years and still lacks proper identification of mosquito breeding and transmission clusters, as well as an effective early warning system.

“The current increase is consistent with what we had predicted,” he said.

Rahman said establishing an early warning system should now be a priority so authorities can identify hotspots, monitor the spread of infections, and alert residents to take preventive measures.

He also urged people to protect themselves by wearing long-sleeved clothing where possible, keeping doors and windows closed during peak mosquito biting hours in the early morning and late afternoon, and using mosquito repellents or coils.

“If people know dengue is spreading in their area, they are more likely to take preventive measures,” he said.

Rahman also called on city corporations, municipalities and union parishads to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and intensify insecticide application in outbreak areas.

“Fogging, ultra-low-volume spraying and adulticide spraying should be carried out where dengue patients have been identified. Without killing infected adult mosquitoes, it will not be possible to interrupt transmission,” he said.

“No matter how many larvae we eliminate, we cannot effectively control an ongoing outbreak unless infected adult mosquitoes are also targeted. Authorities must ensure they have the necessary equipment, insecticides and operational capacity without delay,” he said.

“As long as the rainy season continues, dengue transmission is likely to increase unless effective interventions are put in place immediately,” he added.