Combating dengue: Kolkata lessons

A recently-conducted survey carried out by the Directorate General of Health Services shows a worrying picture of the spread of Aedes mosquito, carrier of the virus responsible for dengue infection. The survey has reportedly found the presence of Aedes mosquito larvae in 20 per cent of houses under the Dhaka North City Corporation and 15 per cent of houses under the Dhaka South City Corporation. The survey comes at a time when deaths from dengue have been reported almost every day since June. The death toll from the mosquito-borne disease has risen to 156 till Friday in Bangladesh whereas only one person has died so far this year in India's Kolkata. This city has been quite successful in combating dengue, and we should learn from its experience.

The Kolkata authorities always keep an eye on the city's dengue situation and strengthen their monitoring activities from January to June every year. In July, when there is a greater risk of dengue outbreak, monitoring activities get strengthened further. To control the spread of the mosquito, the Kolkata authorities formed a three-layer mosquito control committee, and those committees have been working sincerely. Also, they have set up a laboratory for dengue research. They have found that if fogging machines are used, mosquitoes move to adjacent neighbourhoods. And so it does not help much. They apply effective larvicides so that the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes are destroyed. Regular drives are conducted to apply the medicine to any new place, which has the possibility to become a breeding spot of Aedes mosquitoes.

In Bangladesh, we can do the same to fight Aedes mosquitoes. If there is a combined effort by the government, local representatives and city residents, the spread of this disease can be conttrolled. We can really learn from Kolkata, imitate their measures in the country and save valuable lives from dengue.

MA Islam,

Dhanmondi, Dhaka,

asheqbd@gmail.com