Dengue menace: DMP launches cleanup campaign

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Saturday launched a cleanup campaign to rein in the outbreak of mosquito-borne disease dengue, reports UNB.

After inaugurating the campaign at Rajarbagh Police Lines, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said 50,000 police members will be involved in the drive covering all barracks, police station compounds, and office units.

“The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has found larva of Aedes mosquito in police lines area,” he said. “All DMP units have been directed to participate in the drive which began at 7am today.”

He said the campaign will continue until the outbreak is over. “The authorities concerned are trying to stop this menace before Eid-ul-Azha.”

Asaduzzaman said it is impossible for the government or health department alone to control mosquitoes. “Everyone has to be aware and keep their premises clean,” he said.

Dengue spread throughout the country by Friday. Hundreds of people are being diagnosed with the viral disease and hospitalised every day across the country. Dhaka is at the centre of the outbreak, which is putting pressure on the already overwhelmed medical services.

The Directorate General of Health Services said 1,687 new patients were hospitalised across the country in the last 24 hours until Friday morning. Of them, 996 cases were reported from Dhaka alone.