The risk of dengue could rise sharply after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, as rainfall during the period may have created numerous mosquito breeding grounds, experts warned.
They urged authorities to take preventive measures as offices and educational institutions are set to resume activities.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services, at least 75 were hospitalised in the 24 hours till yesterday morning, taking this year’s reported fatalities and cases to six and 3,307 respectively.
Prof Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, warned that dengue cases could potentially double compared to the pre-Eid period. However, he said the situation could be managed with prompt preventive measures.
“School premises where rainwater can accumulate and remain stagnant should be thoroughly cleaned before classes resume. Urgent mosquito control measures, including fogging, should be carried out a day before reopening,” he said.
Prof Bashar said similar measures should be taken at government and private offices that remained closed during the holidays, as well as under-construction buildings, where water often collects in basements, and low-lying areas.
“Larvicides should be applied in these locations to prevent mosquito breeding,” he said.
“At the household level, families returning from extended holidays should inspect their homes carefully, remove stagnant water, flush toilet commodes, and clean drains and containers where mosquitoes may breed.
“Doors and windows should be opened and fans switched on to help drive out mosquitoes, while aerosol sprays may be used if necessary,” Prof Bashar said.
“At the same time, city corporations can support residents by strengthening mosquito-control activities and providing necessary assistance,” he added.
Brig Gen Imru-al-Quais, chief health officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, said anti-mosquito drives and cleaning activities were carried out at different cattle markets before and after Eid-ul-Azha.
Extensive fogging operations were also conducted in all wards on May 30-31, he said.
Malaria Oil B was applied to potential mosquito breeding sites, alongside routine larviciding and night-time fogging across all 25 wards, he added.
DNCC has also implemented its “Saturday’s Commitment: Let’s Keep Our Homes Clean” campaign every Saturday from March 14 to May 30 in the 25 wards. The initiative will continue through June and July.
In addition, a special cleanliness and mosquito-control drive titled “Clean School, No Mosquito” will be launched on June 6 across all schools and colleges under DNCC’s jurisdiction.
The drive aims to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds and reduce the risk of dengue transmission, he added.
An official of Dhaka South City Corporation said its mosquito-control workers were not on leave during the Eid vacation and anti-mosquito drives continued during the period.
“Our pre-monsoon survey to assess the density of Aedes mosquitoes continued until the last day before Eid. The results will be published soon, followed by necessary steps,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said on Monday that the government will set up dengue corners at upazila health complexes nationwide as part of preparations to tackle a possible rise in dengue cases.
A field hospital has also been kept ready at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while more field hospitals will be set up if needed, he added.
