Aedes breeding at RMCH!

The regional health office of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Rajshahi has found breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes -- carriers of the virus responsible for dengue fever -- at several areas in the city.

An entomological survey report submitted yesterday said a survey found Aedes mosquitoes breeding at the residence of the Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) principal, on Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) campus and a hostel of female medical students.

They also found Aedes mosquitoes on rainwater collected in abandoned containers at houses, shops and even on the city corporation’s city beatification equipment.

The five-day survey -- from August 2 to 6 -- was conducted in five areas of the city, Dr Gopendra Nath Acharya, regional health director of DGHS, told The Daily Star.

The areas are -- RMCH, Sepoypara, Seroil bus terminal, Rajshahi Police Lines, and Uposhohor.

On August 1, the regional office formed a three-member team, headed by district entomologist Tayazul Islam, to conduct the survey. Other team members were entomology technicians Abdul Bari and Umme Habiba.

“Our aim was to gather information on the spread, density and breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in the city, and take necessary action,” Dr Gopendra said.

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

The team collected and examined samples of mosquito larvae from numerous spots of the selected areas. They found Aedes mosquitoes and larvae in many  of the 100 examined spots.

At RMC and RMCH areas, the team found Aedes larvae at seven spots, including the RMC principal’s residence.

Besides, tests came out positive at five spots inside RMCH, including one at a broken basin of a ward and at an abandoned ice-cream cup 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.

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 showed positive results.

At Uposhohor, 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.

Results of samples from five spots at Sepoypara and Rajshahi Police Lines area also came out positive.

The survey report came up with four recommendations to eliminate Aedes.

It advised raising awareness on preventing stagnant water accumulation in open containers; eradication of Aedes larvae by spraying bleaching powder, kerosene, hot water or insecticide; and keeping dengue-infected people inside mosquito nets.

The directorate of health also warned against the spread of dengue during Eid and called upon all to follow the recommendations.