Dengue Situation: It’s alarming, not out of control: WHO

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon yesterday claimed that dengue prevalence was under control in the country in comparison to the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

He urged city dwellers to remain alert, but not panic.

He told these to reporters after meeting a four-member delegation of the World Health Organisation at his residence.

Edwin Salvador, WHO acting country representative for Bangladesh, led the delegation.

He said the dengue situation was alarming in Bangladesh, but not out of control.

The WHO and DSCC will work jointly to face the situation, Dr Edwin said, adding that they will prepare a report after observing the situation and the city corporation will work on the basis of the report.

Mentioning that Aedes mosquitos are born only in clear water, the mayor said there was no alternative to creating awareness. “We’ve destroyed the sources of Aedes mosquitos in 33,000 houses in the city in February and taught the owners ways of destroying those. But it’s regrettable that we find the same old situation when we revisit the houses.”

Asked about the use of ineffective insecticides to control mosquitos, he said the DSCC used insecticides supplied by the Bangladesh Navy. “We’ll look into whether there’s any problem in the medicines.”