Govt working to control Aedes mosquito menace, says LGRD minister

CUMILLA, July 27 (UNB): The government has been working on the issue of Aedes mosquito and dengue as a challenge, said Md Tajul Islam, minister for Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) on Saturday.

The minister came up with the remark while talking to media activists after the inauguration of the 52nd Annual Planning ceremony of Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Kotbari.

He said the government is committed to provide public security from natural disaster and terrorism. Mayors of Dhaka South City Corporation and North City Corporation and concerned have been working to mitigate the rate of dengue infection, he said.

The country is observing mosquito killing week at district, upazila and union levels following the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Aedes mosquito breeds in water on rooftops, flower tubs, bathroom, and other places in the house yard.

"We need to be more aware and clear this water to tackle mosquito breeding. The mosquito cannot breed if the people would become aware, then," the minister said. Tajul said a total of 303 people have been killed by dengue in the Philippines in 2019.

In fact, last week the Philippine Department of Health issued a national alert after 456 deaths from dengue since the start of the year.

Besides, around 40,000 people in Thailand, 26,000 in Malaysia, 13,000 in Singapore and 15,000 to 20,000 in India have been infected by dengue this year, the minister informed.