Aedes breeding grounds found at RMCH

The regional health directorate in Rajshahi has found breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitos, which are carriers of the deadly virus responsible for dengue fever, at several areas in the city.

The breeding grounds were found on the premises of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH), and at different beautification spots under Rajshahi City Corporation, reports our staff correspondent.

In an entomological survey report submitted today, the directorate said it found Aedes mosquitoes were breeding at the residence of the medical college principal, inside RMCH campus and a hostel of female medical students.

They also found the existence of the mosquitos on rainwater clogged in abandoned containers at different houses, shops and even on the city corporation’s town beatification equipment.

The report’s findings came after a five-day entomological survey conducted in five areas of the city, Dr Gopendra Nath Acharya, regional health director, told The Daily Star.

The areas are -- Rajshahi Medical College and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Sepoypara area near RMCH, Seroil bus terminal, Rajshahi Police Lines at Keshabpur, and Uposhohor area.

On August 1, the health directorate formed a three-member team headed by the district entomologist Tayazul Islam for conducting the survey. Other team members were entomology technicians Abdul Bari and Umme Habiba.

“Our aim was to gather information on the spread of Aedes mosquitos, their density and breeding scenario in the city and take necessary actions in this regard,” Dr Gopendra said.

The team conducted the survey between August 2 and 6, team leader Tayazul Islam said.

“Our survey is based on visual examinations of the sites and confirmed laboratory tests of the collected samples,” he said.

The team collected samples of mosquito larvae from 20 spots of each of the five selected areas and examined those. The survey found positive results meaning the existence of Aedes mosquitos and larvae in 14 out of a total 100 examined spots.

At RMC and RMCH areas, the team found Aedes larvae at seven spots including one at a coconut box at RMC Principal’s residence.

Besides, the tests came up with positive results at five spots inside RMCH including one at a broken basin of a hospital ward and at an abandoned ice-cream pot at Falguni Hostel, a dormitory for female medical students.

Most of the beautification pipes that were used to decorate road islands between Seroil bus stand and Bhadra intersection were also found to have carried the mosquito larvae.

Besides, samples from clay tubs of a nursery, battery cases at a battery cell repair shop, and tyres at a vulcanising shop in Seroil area also came up with positive results.

At Uposhohor area, the team saw positive results at four spots including one in a plastic drum near Rangdhanu Tower, and three others in flower vases at three houses.

Samples from five spots at Sepoypara and Rajshahi Police Lines area also produced positive results.

The survey report came up with four recommendations for elimination of Aedes mosquitos.

It advised for building awareness on preventing stagnant water in any open containers including flower vases, tyres, coconut box, yogurt pots, and ice-creme pots.

It suggested eradication of Aedes larvae by spraying bleaching powder, kerosene or hot water and spraying insecticide using fogger machines.

The report also suggested keeping the dengue-infected persons inside mosquito nets so that the Aedes mosquitos cannot bite the infected persons and spread the disease.

The health directorate also warned against the spread of dengue during the Eid vacation and called upon all to follow the recommendations including the elimination of the sources of Aedes mosquitos.