Though mosquito infestations typically peak between November and December, this year, Dhaka’s residents find themselves besieged by swarms even in March.
Overgrown bushes, clogged drains, and stagnant water across the city have become breeding grounds, exacerbating the problem.
As dusk falls, the mosquito menace escalates manifold, leaving citizens vulnerable to bites and vector-borne diseases.
The crisis is compounded by a lack of public awareness and an acute shortage of manpower within the city corporations, resulting in an ineffective mosquito eradication drive.
Residents lament the absence of proactive oversight, which they attribute to administrative shifts following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on 5 August.
Previously, ward councillors and other local representatives oversaw civic services, including pest control.
However, with their exit from office, the responsibility has fallen solely on bureaucratic officials, whose field-level monitoring remains insufficient.
According to municipal sources, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) previously had 54 elected ward councillors, supplemented by 18 reserved female councillors.
Additionally, ten regional executive officers were appointed to oversee local governance.
In the past, residents could report mosquito-related grievances to their councillors, but in the current scenario, that channel no longer exists.
A single administrative officer now oversees ward-level operations in both Dhaka North and South, leading to lax monitoring and inefficacy in mosquito control efforts.
City corporation health officials claim that mosquito eradication measures are being enhanced through a three-tier research approach, focusing on genetically modifying mosquitoes to curb their population.
A coordinated effort between government and private agencies is underway to develop and deploy new insecticides.
However, experts caution that complete eradication is unattainable, urging greater public awareness to mitigate the infestation.
Meanwhile, the health sector continues to grapple with an alarming rise in dengue cases.
Authorities report that genetic mutations have altered the nature of mosquito-borne diseases, making dengue even more formidable.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) underscores the necessity of continued research to combat this evolving threat.
Data from the DGHS reveals that in January and February alone, over 1,500 dengue cases were recorded across various hospitals.
January saw 1,161 infections, resulting in 10 fatalities, while February registered 374 cases with three deaths.
In March, 19 new cases have been reported thus far, though no deaths have been confirmed.
In 2024, Bangladesh witnessed one of its worst dengue outbreaks, with 101,214 recorded cases and 575 fatalities.
A study by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) highlighted the country’s tropical climate, warm temperatures, and extended monsoon season as factors fostering Aedes mosquito breeding, placing Bangladesh at persistent risk of mosquito-borne epidemics.
Acknowledging the growing mosquito crisis, DNCC’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury told the press, “We cannot deny that mosquito infestation has worsened this month. Having elected representatives would have facilitated our work, but in their absence, certain challenges persist. Nevertheless, we are striving to address the issue.”
He further disclosed that since the 5 August regime change, 62 field-level mosquito control workers have been dismissed due to various allegations.
Presently, approximately 1,100 personnel are engaged in vector control operations daily.
Similarly, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health Officer Dr Nishat Parveen acknowledged staffing shortages and the void left by councillors, stating, “While we are making every effort, complete mosquito eradication is not feasible. Some newly incorporated wards have more severe infestations due to the presence of stagnant water bodies, exacerbating the problem.”
Dr Parveen added that DSCC currently deploys around 1,050 mosquito control workers operating in shifts.
However, resource constraints have hindered uniform implementation of eradication efforts.
“We are conducting awareness campaigns, seminars, and public meetings to engage communities in mitigating the crisis. Certain low-lying areas are experiencing higher mosquito activity, and we are actively addressing those zones,” she said.
With governance gaps and inadequate manpower impeding mosquito control efforts, Dhaka’s residents continue to bear the brunt of this worsening crisis, raising concerns about the looming spectre of another dengue epidemic.
