The number of dengue cases is expected to decline within a month, said Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam on Monday.

“Many people had left Dhaka for a long time due to restrictions for Covid-19 and Eid vacation  and during this period Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water in the houses and under-construction buildings, leading to dengue outbreak . But the situation will improve within one month,” he said.

The minister was speaking at  ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the secretariat.

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Replying to a question, Tajul said, “This year, dengue cases marked a sharp rise comparing to the previous two years and the main reason behind it is Covid restrictions and Eid holidays,”

There was no planed initiative in controlling mosquitoes in 2019 and the country witnessed 1405 dengue cases as some steps were taken in 2020, said the minister adding “We witnessed rise in deaths and cases in 2021. The main reason behind the outbreak is climate change.” 

Citing the dengue outbreak in different countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Philippines, the minister said Bangladesh’s dengue situation is better than those countries. 

“Many children died of dengue and many people lost their relatives this year. We don’t want to lose anyone and we’ll take steps from this years’ experience.”

Referring to the foreign tour of Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor during dengue outbreak, Tajul, said the DSCC mayor went abroad due to family problem and he had informed me about it. 

Talking about the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the LGRD minister said it is expected to be finalized in December.

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“There is no scope to build Dhaka like other beautiful cities in the world as many high-rise buildings have already been built in an unplanned way  and it is the abode of about 2 crore people. We can’t ask people to leave Dhaka forcibly. That’s why we are expanding civic amenities to the urban areas,” said the Minister.

Speaking about the development and the renovation works  during monsoon, Tajul said “We are thinking about it and the process to take action against those involved in irregularities is underway.”

BSRF President Tapan Biswas and its general secretary Masudul Hoque , among others, spoke.