Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Thursday launched a weeklong special anti-mosquito drive in all wards of the city corporation as dengue cases keep rising.

On the first day of the weeklong drive, the regional executive officers and executive magistrates of the DNCC conducted public awareness programme and mosquito killing activities simultaneously in all 10 areas under DNCC.

Students also took part in the public awareness programme.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khairul Alam inaugurated the weeklong special anti-mosquito programme at Badda under Zone-3 of the DNCC in the morning. The special programme will continue till September 25.

Talking to reporters, Mir Khairul Alam said, "The city corporation is working regularly to control dengue. As the number of dengue patients has increased slightly, a special mosquito killing programme has been taken in all wards. Steps have been taken to raise public awareness alongside the daily mosquito killing and cleanliness activities. Members of BNCC, Scouts and Girls Guides have also joined the programme. With the involvement of all, this special programme will play an effective role in controlling dengue.”

"Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has been working sincerely to control dengue. With the cooperation of the people, it is possible to keep dengue completely under control. Aedes mosquitoes are usually born in stagnant water at home. Our staff clean the surroundings of the houses and spray mosquito-repellent medicines. But our employees cannot work inside the houses. So, all have to remain alert to prevent breeding of Aedes mosquitoes inside houses.”

Responding to another question from a journalist, the chief executive officer said the magistrates will conduct mobile courts from today but if Aedes larvae are found due to negligence, legal action will be taken.

“Earlier, ward councillors used to supervise mosquito killing and cleaning activities. Although many councillors are absent from the workplaces, monitoring teams have been formed with officials of different departments of the DNCC so that the activities are not hampered. Officials are supervising the activities in all wards.”

After the inauguration of the programme, CEO Mir Khairul Alam along with all the students brought out a public awareness rally in front of BRAC University in Merul Badda. The CEO distributed awareness leaflets on the occasion.

DNCC Secretary Mohammad Masud Alam Siddique, Chief Health Officer Brig Gen (retd) Md. Shafiqul Islam were, among others, present on the occasion.