Step up efforts to contain Aedes

Expressing utter dismay at the deaths of people from dengue fever, the High Court yesterday directed the authorities to take more effective measures across the country to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquito that carries the dengue virus.

Insecticides will have to be sprayed intensively to destroy the mosquito breeding grounds, the court said.

It added that a countrywide comprehensive drive against the Aedes mosquito can be launched involving people from all walks of life after closing schools, colleges, universities, offices, courts, and other institutions if necessary.

While hearing a suo moto rule, the HC asked the authorities and two Dhaka city corporations to submit separate reports before it by October 16 over the progress of preventive steps taken against mosquitoes.

The bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi also fixed October 16 for passing further order on this issue.

“Dengue fever has spread all over the country this year. People are reportedly dying every day from this fever,” the bench observed.  

During yesterday’s hearing, lawyers for the government and Dhaka city corporations appealed to the court not to form any enquiry committee to identify the persons responsible for not purchasing effective chemicals to kill mosquitoes on time and those responsible for the deaths of people from dengue fever.

They said most of the officials and employees of Dhaka city corporations are working in the field to kill mosquitoes. If an enquiry committee is formed, their activities might be hampered, the lawyers added.

Deputy Attorney General Kazi Mynul Hasan appeared for the government, and Barek Chowdhury and Toufiq Inam represented Dhaka north and south city corporations respectively.

On Monday, the HC set yesterday for passing an order on whether a judicial commission will be constituted to enquire if there was any negligence of the authorities in purchasing effective chemicals to kill mosquitoes. 

On that day, DNCC lawyer Sayeed Ahmed Raja told the court that a judicial enquiry needs to be launched to find out whether the authorities had failed or were negligent in purchasing effective insecticides on time to kill mosquitoes and the court can pass a necessary order.