Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has intensified its dengue prevention activities, urging residents to work alongside the city authorities to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites and keep their surroundings clean.
The call came at an exchange meeting on dengue prevention, cleanliness drives and public awareness held at the City Hall meeting room of Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday.
RCC Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton attended the meeting as the chief guest, while RCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim presided over it. Deputy Registrar of Rajshahi Medical University Dr Mofakharul Islam attended as the special guest.
Specialist doctors, entomologists, health workers and other concerned officials also took part in the meeting.
Speakers said public participation is crucial to preventing dengue, alongside the measures being taken by the city corporation.
They said Aedes mosquitoes generally breed in stagnant, clear water and urged residents to regularly inspect and clean areas around their homes, including yards, rooftops, balconies and under-construction buildings.
Residents were also advised to clean their homes and surroundings at least once a week and remove potential breeding sites such as discarded containers, tubs, coconut shells and old tyres.
“We have taken various initiatives to keep city residents safe from the risk of dengue. We all have to work together. With the cooperation of city residents, we want to build a clean, safe and dengue-free Rajshahi city,” Riton said.
He said the RCC had intensified public awareness campaigns, destruction of mosquito-breeding sites, cleanliness drives and mosquito-control activities across the city.
“City residents also have to play a vital role in preventing dengue,” he added.
Dr Mofakharul Islam said everyone should contribute to raising public awareness about dengue prevention.
Professor Dr Azizul Haque Azad, head of the Department of Medicine at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), said a separate ward had been arranged at the hospital following an increase in dengue cases.
He said dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and that people can become infected through the bite of an infected mosquito during both daytime and nighttime.
Umme Habiba, district entomologist at the Civil Surgeon’s Office, and Abdul Bari, entomological technician at the Divisional Director of Health Office, presented an overview of the dengue situation at the meeting.
Selim Reza Ranju, deputy chief cleaning officer of RCC, presented the measures taken by the city corporation to prevent dengue.
