Mosquito menace: City authorities must act

Dhaka city's mosquito problem is becoming intolerable day by day. Right after the sunset, city dwellers' life becomes difficult for these tiny enemies. And almost every part of the capital has been witnessing an abnormal rise in mosquitoes for the past few weeks. In places where city corporation people use insecticides through their fogging machines, the mosquitoes re-emerge after a few hours. These mosquitoes are so stubborn that anti-repellents and similar things including coils and sprays seem to be quite ineffective against them. Due to their strong presence, children cannot pursue their studies at their tables and need to go to bed with books under mosquito nets. Despite repeated complaints to the city corporations, residents are yet to find respite from this recurring issue.

We are facing a situation which may turn alarming in the coming months due to water-logging when the rainy season sets in. Mosquito bite is not only irritating, it can cause life-threatening diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya fevers. Lack of effective equipment and absence of year-round surveillance of mosquito density and monitoring of mosquito control are some of the reasons for which mosquito is still a major menace in Bangladesh. If the city corporation authorities do not wake up immediately, things can go out of their hands.

Badsha Faysal,

Jurain, Dhaka,

badshafaysal1998@gmail.com