DSCC to start anti-mosquito drive from July 1

To protect people from mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will conduct a month-long crash program, from July 1, this monsoon.

Sayeed Khokon, DSCC mayor, made the announcement in a seminar held at Nagar Bhaban, on Thursday.

Professor Dr Kanak Kanti Barua, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University vice-chancellor, Mostafizur Rahman, DSCC chief executive officer, and councillors were also present there.

To treat large areas with insecticides quickly and efficiently, DSCC will divide them into five zones.

To eliminate mosquito habitats, all the DSCC workers tasked with killing mosquitos will do outdoor spatial insecticide spraying – as a prevention strategy for dengue and other Aedes-borne viruses – for a stretch of three days per zone.

In order to inform people of this drive, DSCC plans to do citywide miking. The city governing body has also instructed schools and mosques to deliver awareness raising speeches.

“Without public awareness and support,” said Khokon, “this program will not be a success.”  

“A hotline, like before, will be in place to provide cost-free mosquito control service and treatment to dengue and chikungunya patients.”

450 mobile medical teams will provide free medical treatment in every ward of DSCC from 15th July.

The mayor urged the city people to destroy the places where mosquitos can breed.

Assuring that the present dengue and chikungunya transmission is under control, Khokon claimed there is no reason for panic.

However, city corporation officials alleged that the DSCC is short of workforce and the insecticide spraying is not working well.

Responding to a counsellor, Khokon said, “We are using the WHO permitted insecticide sprays.”

“We have also informed the WHO that the currently used sprays are not working well.  The mosquitos have become resistant to these sprays – used for so long.”

“We will request WHO for a new insecticide,” concluded Khokon.