DNCC mayor seeks help though ‘dengue under control’

The authorities have revamped awareness campaigns engaging the community leaders as the fresh infections from dengue continue to rise in Dhaka.

“Only the mayor and the councilors can’t tackle Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever. We need to launch a social movement with participation of all quarters of the society. The alems can play a vital role in this regard,” Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam told an event held at the Mirpur Ward 10 Community Centre on Wednesday.

He urged the imams and khatibs to aware the people about the dengue fever and cleanliness during prayers every day.

Responding to a query, Mayor Atiqul told reporters quoting the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) that the Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for the deadly dengue fever, were prevalent mainly in Mirpur area.

He, however, claimed that the dengue situation was under control in DNCC areas because of successful social campaigns. 

The health authorities have been recording over 200 dengue cases per day since August 1, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the DGHS, as many as 57 people died from dengue since January this year and the number of patients taking treatment at hospitals was 1,256 as of Tuesday morning.

Of the patients, 1,067 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital.

Among the deceased, 53 died in Dhaka city alone, two in Chittagong division, one in Khulna and one in Rajshahi, so far.

Since June, both the DNCC and the DSCC have been implementing different initiatives including mobile courts and awareness campaigns to control the spread of the dengue fever. 

The city corporation offices in different wards are also providing free dengue test.

But as the number of infections rose fast, the government announced names of several hospitals for dengue treatment.