Take more effective steps to fight dengue: HC to govt

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to take more effective measures across the country in order to prevent Aedes mosquito that causes dengue fever among people.

Medicines will have to be spread intensively to destroy the mosquito breeding fields across the country, the court said.

While hearing a suo moto rule, the HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Md Shohrowardi asked the authorities concerned of the government and two Dhaka city corporations to submit separate reports before it by October 16 over the progress on preventive steps taken against the mosquito menace.

The HC bench fixed October 16 for passing further order on this issue.

During the hearing, lawyers for the government and Dhaka city corporations prayed to the court to not form any enquiry committee to identify the persons responsible for not purchasing effective medicine to kill the mosquitos on time.

They said the employees are working at the field level to kill mosquitos. If an enquiry committee is founded their activities might be hampered, the lawyers said.

Deputy Attorney General Quazi Mynul Hasan appeared for the government and barrister Toufiq Inam represented the city corporations.

A record 66,000 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country till yesterday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

A total of 1,298 patients -- 608 in Dhaka and rest outside -- were admitted to hospitals across the country in 24 hours till 8:00 am yesterday, raising the tally to 66,064.