Clean rooftop gardens to stop Aedes mosquito breeding: LGRD minister

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) minister Md Tazul Islam urged city dwellers to be careful so that rooftop gardens do not become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

The LGRD minister commented while delivering his speech as the chairperson at an inter-ministerial meeting at the LGD conference room today.

At the meeting, he unveiled a national guideline on preventive measures of different mosquito-borne diseases.

Tazul said early rain has started this year, and the pattern is favorable for Aedes mosquitoes since it remains stagnant in a place for a long time.

He said breeding grounds also were created at different schools, colleges, and madrasas as authorities of the educational institutions could not clean their institutions as they remained shut for long.

He suggested using insecticide or kerosene if citizens cannot clean the rooftop gardens regularly.

Urging people to be more careful to destroy breeding sources at their homes, the minister said every death is very unfortunate.

"It is a punishable offence if a person died of dengue due to the negligence of his neighbor who did not destroy breeding sources at their homes," said the minister.

He said they are finding Aedes mosquito larvae at the houses of many elite and educated people, which is unfortunate.

Responding to a question about a separate department for mosquito control the senior minister said they are working on forming an Integrated Vector Management Cell to keep every people in the country safe from mosquito-borne diseases.

He said they have already made the market for insecticides open to all so companies can import insecticide following necessary steps to kill the Aedes mosquito and its larvae.

The minister also said Dhaka Cantonment Board, Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Railway will be held responsible if Aedes mosquito larvae are found in their restricted areas.

Tazul stated they have informed both the public and private hospitals and clinics to provide information to city corporations along with the addresses of dengue patients so effective measures to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes are taken immediately.

Among others, Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Md Atiqul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and Gazipur City Corporation mayor Jahangir Alam were present at the meeting.