Dengue outbreak: HC summons top DNCC, DSCC health officials

The High Court today summoned the chief health officials of the two Dhaka city corporations to appear before it to inform about the steps taken by the authorities in preventing outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya, and eliminating the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes in the capital.

The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi came up with the order today after hearing on a suo moto rule issued by this bench on July 14 that ordered the respondents of the rule to submit a report about the steps taken by them to prevent dengue and chikungunya and to destroy the breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquitoes by today (July 22).

The report was submitted before the HC bench today; however, the court was unhappy with the report.

Assistant Attorney General Saira Firoz represented the state during the hearing.

Expressing dissatisfaction on the steps taken in preventing dengue outbreak in the capital, the HC bench summoned the chief health officials of Dhaka North and South city corporations to appear before it on Thursday (July 25).

On July 14, this HC bench issued the suo moto rule directing the authorities to take effective steps within 24 hours to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes from the capital and take preventive measures to stop the spread of dengue and chikungunya and, other similar diseases in the city.

In the rule, the HC also asked the respondents to explain within four weeks as to why their inaction to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes and stop the spread of dengue, chikungunya and similar other diseases in the city should not be declared illegal and as to why actions should not be taken against the persons responsible for failing to take effective steps for preventing those diseases.

The bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi came up with the order and rule after the Prothom Alo, Janakantha, and Bhorer Pata published reports yesterday and the Prothom Alo also carried a report on July 13 on the issue.

According to the reports, hundreds of people in the city are suffering from dengue, chikungunya, and similar other diseases due to inaction of the authorities, especially the two city corporations, the court said in the order.

The court added that it had also been reported that over 11 people died recently from dengue fever.

Official sources and those at Dhaka Medical College Hospital have reportedly said more than 100 people are being hospitalised in the city every day with dengue and chikungunya fever. Unofficial sources report the number is higher, the HC said.

The HC had also directed assistant attorney generals Zaidy Hasan Khan and Saira Firoz to communicate with the mayors of DNCC and DSCC immediately in this regard.

It added that unless something was done to stop those diseases, there would be an epidemic.