City dwellers at Culex panic

The capital Dhaka is becoming a city of misery day by day. City dwellers are not able to live comfortably in any season. They suffer from waterlogging in the rainy days and dust during the dry season. Now there is mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are everywhere - in the house, outside, home or office. With the onset of winter, mosquito infestation has increased in the capital. Experts believe, if effective steps are not taken on time to eradicate mosquitoes, the dengue situation could take a terrible turn like that last year.

 Despite the authorities' mosquito eradication programme, the infestation of Culex mosquitoes in the capital has increased drastically. The restless city dwellers are bitten by mosquitoes day and night. Aedes mosquito panic is at work in the minds of the citizens, so the increase in any mosquito increases the panic for them.

 Therefore, the authorities should take effective steps to control birth of all types of mosquitoes. Canals and sewers are breeding grounds for Culex mosquitoes. It is not possible for the citizens to clean those or spray insecticides there. For this reason, the concerned people think that uncontrolled reproduction of mosquito is the failure of the responsible organisation.

 Two city corporations in Dhaka are on the side of the city dwellers in combating coronavirus and dengue control this year, but they are not seen much active in controlling Culex mosquitoes. It is learned that there is an excessive infestation of Culex mosquitoes all over the capital.

 Residents of elite areas are also uneasy about mosquito infestation. The breeding season of Culex mosquitoes starts from December and continues till March of the year. The picture is not a different this time also.

 The city corporation authorities have multiple responsibilities. With increase in scope of work of some corporations, their responsibilities have also gone higher. When people in any city area for compelled to pass restless time, both day and night, for mosquito menace, the good work done by the city corporation authorities fade away. The country was alarmed by the widespread spread of Aedes mosquitoes across the capital, not long ago.

 The authorities then took a number of positive initiatives and outlined plans for future mosquito eradication. People became optimistic this time, they would'nt have to worry about any mosquito infestation in the future. But their hopes were not fulfilled.

 Mosquito eradication activities are not visible in the elite areas of the capital, but other areas, especially in the newly incorporated areas of the city corporation saw a little initiative.

 Residents of the capital complained that mosquito extermination workers were not seen in the field. Mosquito eradication activities were carried out extensively at a time when dengue was rampant, but it has since waned. However, Dhaka north and south city corporations announced that they will work to control dengue throughout the year.

 Experts say, anti-dengue activities should not be carried out only during special seasons or at certain times. On the contrary, these activities should be intensified throughout the year.

 Encephalitis, the disease is spread by mosquitoes called ‘Culex’. Its prevalence is highest in Asia, especially in Japan. Symptoms include fever and headache. Convulsions, mental imbalances and paralysis occur in 40 percent of the people infected. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this disease.

 Rafiqul Islam, a resident of the capital Mirpur said, the mosquito infestation was increasing in the evening. Mosquito infestation has suddenly increased over the last few days. There is no peace anywhere inside or outside the house. The mosquito eradication workers were not seen spraying insecticides the same way as did during dengue. The speed of the work has slowed down thus increasing the birth of mosquitoes that are swarming around the house, especially after dusk. People can't survive at home without a mosquito net.

 School teacher Farida Farhana, a resident of Khilgoan, said that even burning coils at home could not save her. Mosquito infestation has suddenly increased. "Life is intolerable with multiple pains - waterlogging in the rainy days, dust in the dry season and now mosquito," she expressed.

 According to experts, anti-mosquito activities should not be limited to a particular season or time. On the contrary, these activities should be intensified throughout the year. As there has been no rainfall for a long time, the organic contents of water has increased in the places where mosquitoes breed in drains and ponds. Mosquito infestation will increase if larvicide is not sprayed on an emergency basis during mosquito breeding period.

 While asked, DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Jobaidur Rahman admitted increase in mosquito outbreaks. The official thinks, one of the reasons of Mosquito infestation is the dry winter season and the canals of DNCC.

 Brigadier General Jobaidur Rahman told Bangladesh News that mosquitoes have increased in the winter season due to seasonal reasons. Aedes are raised in clean stagnant water, but Culex mosquitoes grow in dirty, unclean water. The mosquito that is now in winter is basically the Culex. Many water bodies have dried up in winter and Culex mosquitoes are accumulating there. Again, the water of the reservoir flows in the rainy season, but not in the winter. So the mosquitoes have grown.

 ‘We have just got canals from WASA. We are cleaning those. Water hyacinth is being cleaned from these canals. A part of the mosquitoes that used to grow and live in these canals and water hyacinths are flying to the locality. This is also a reason,’ he added.

Highlighting various steps taken by the DNCC to eradicate mosquitoes, Jobaidur Rahman said, "We have also conducted five combing operations during corona lockdown period. For this reason, the outbreak of Aedes this year was not like in the past. We are also working to control Culex mosquitoes.”

He added that the process of purchasing 10 'mixed blowers' has already been finalized. We will get these in a few days. 10 mixed blowers are being purchased for 10 regions. Better results can be obtained by spraying drugs with these.