Dhaka city corpns undecided over ‘ineffective’ insecticide

The two Dhaka city corporations are undecided about the use of three types of insecticides against mosquitoes after some reports by scientists and researchers revealed that those are ineffective. Sources said both the corporations have called a meeting on Monday to take a call on the issue.

Talking to The Independent, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) chief health officer Brig. Gen. Mominur Rahman said: “Scientists and researchers of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Plant Protection Wing, have tested the current insecticides used against mosquitoes and found that one of the three elements in preparing the insecticides is inactive,” he said.

“We don’t have any doubt about the activity of the current medicine. But after getting too many complaints, the city corporation wanted to have a discussion with the scientists and researchers. We have a stock of two months. We have a timeframe to renew the work order after two months. In tomorrow’s meeting, we will decide whether we will buy new insecticides.”

Scientists of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases, Bangladesh (ICDDRB), observed that the aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, is not getting killed by the insecticide being used at present. In a research carried out between December 2017 and March 2018, they noted that the aedes mosquitoes are resistant to the insecticide.

About that research, the chief health officer said: “They gave the report to us. It says one of the three elements used to make insecticides is inactive. The three elements are permethrin, tetramethrin and espiramethrin. Among them, permethrin is not working well.”

“That’s the reason why we want to buy a new kind of effective insecticide. In the meeting, we'll discuss the issue with the scientists of ICDDRB, IEDCR, Plant Protection Wing and environmentalists. After the meeting, we can take a decision,” the official added.

People of the city are suffering because of mosquitoes and with the onset of monsoon. There has been an alarming dengue outbreak.

As of now this year, 3,701 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals in the capital. Among them, 2,889 were released after receiving treatment. Currently, 809 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the city. Three persons, including a doctor, have died, according to data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Control Room.

According to DGHS, some 2,300 people have been afflicted with dengue in the first six months of the year. In total, 1,713 people were afflicted with dengue in June alone.

The DNCC said the Directorate of Health has not recommended any alternative and so they are continuing with the previous product. Even if the authorities take any initiative to change the insecticides right now, it will take at least six months before they can begin using the new product. Experts and

government officials said the same insecticides has been used for many years in Dhaka city. Entomologist Manzur Chowdhury said mosquitoes have become resistant to these particular insecticides. “A new insecticide is required,” he added.

Health workers in city corporation areas administer the insecticide every year. Officials said they use two products—adulticide for fully grown mosquitoes and larvacide for the larvae. Officials of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) said they procured Tk. 190 million worth of insecticides in the last fiscal year. The DNCC spent Tk. 180 million for the same purpose.

Talking to the Independent, DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam said: “We know that mosquitoes are not being killed by some of the insecticides. A meeting has been called tomorrow (Monday) to discuss the issue.”

Associate scientist of the ICDDRB parasitology laboratory and leader of the research team, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, told the media that aedes mosquito eggs were collected from various areas of the city, including Azimpur, Dhanmondi, Mohammedpur, Gulshan, Korail, Mirpur 1, Uttara Sector 4, Malibagh Chowdhurypara and Khilgaon. Later, larvae and then mosquitoes were produced from these eggs in the laboratory. These mosquitoes were then exposed to the insecticides being used in Dhaka city.

Most of the mosquitoes did not die and were not affected by the insecticides.

The results of the study were presented before the Dhaka South City Corporation in April this year.

Researchers said officials of the two city corporations are aware of the inefficacy of the insecticides.

 

Dhaka city corpns undecided over ineffective insecticide

The two Dhaka city corporations are undecided about the use of three types of insecticides against mosquitoes after some reports by scientists and researchers revealed that those are ineffective. Sources said both the corporations have called a meeting on Monday to take a call on the issue. Talking to The Independent, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) chief health officer Brig. Gen. Mominur Rahman said: Scientists and researchers of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Plant Protection Wing, have tested the current insecticides used against mosquitoes and found that one of the three elements in preparing the insecticides is inactive, he said. We dont have any doubt about the activity of the current medicine. But after getting too many complaints, the city corporation wanted to have a discussion with the scientists and researchers. We have a stock of two months. We have a timeframe to renew the work order after two months. In tomorrows meeting, we will decide whether we will buy new insecticides. Scientists of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases, Bangladesh (ICDDRB), observed that the aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, is not getting killed by the insecticide being used at present. In a research carried out between December 2017 and March 2018, they noted that the aedes mosquitoes are resistant to the insecticide. About that research, the chief health officer said: They gave the report to us. It says one of the three elements used to make insecticides is inactive. The three elements are permethrin, tetramethrin and espiramethrin. Among them, permethrin is not working well. Thats the reason why we want to buy a new kind of effective insecticide. In the meeting, well discuss the issue with the scientists of ICDDRB, IEDCR, Plant Protection Wing and environmentalists. After the meeting, we can take a decision, the official added. People of the city are suffering because of mosquitoes and with the onset of monsoon. There has been an alarming dengue outbreak. As of now this year, 3,701 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals in the capital. Among them, 2,889 were released after receiving treatment. Currently, 809 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the city. Three persons, including a doctor, have died, according to data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Control Room. According to DGHS, some 2,300 people have been afflicted with dengue in the first six months of the year. In total, 1,713 people were afflicted with dengue in June alone. The DNCC said the Directorate of Health has not recommended any alternative and so they are continuing with the previous product. Even if the authorities take any initiative to change the insecticides right now, it will take at least six months before they can begin using the new product. Experts and government officials said the same insecticides has been used for many years in Dhaka city. Entomologist Manzur Chowdhury said mosquitoes have become resistant to these particular insecticides. A new insecticide is required, he added. Health workers in city corporation areas administer the insecticide every year. Officials said they use two productsadulticide for fully grown mosquitoes and larvacide for the larvae. Officials of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) said they procured Tk. 190 million worth of insecticides in the last fiscal year. The DNCC spent Tk. 180 million for the same purpose. Talking to the Independent, DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam said: We know that mosquitoes are not being killed by some of the insecticides. A meeting has been called tomorrow (Monday) to discuss the issue. Associate scientist of the ICDDRB parasitology laboratory and leader of the research team, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, told the media that aedes mosquito eggs were collected from various areas of the city, including Azimpur, Dhanmondi, Mohammedpur, Gulshan, Korail, Mirpur 1, Uttara Sector 4, Malibagh Chowdhurypara and Khilgaon. Later, larvae and then mosquitoes were produced from these eggs in the laboratory. These mosquitoes were then exposed to the insecticides being used in Dhaka city. Most of the mosquitoes did not die and were not affected by the insecticides. The results of the study were presented before the Dhaka South City Corporation in April this year. Researchers said officials of the two city corporations are aware of the inefficacy of the insecticides.