FT ONLINE

The government has taken an action plan against the outbreak of dengue fever for next year, aiming to reduce the number of deaths caused by the Aedes mosquito-borne viral infection.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD& Cooperatives) formed a committee with the responsibility to submit a comprehensive report in this regard to the government within next one month.

The government has taken the action plan against dengue at a meeting held at the conference room of the LGRD & Cooperatives Ministry.

LGRD & Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam said the committee will work to develop the dengue prevention management system and save people from the attack of harmful insects.

Additional secretary of the local government division (urban development) has been made convener of the committee.

"Our main aim is to work for reducing the level of dengue menace in the next year compared with the current year," said the minister.

He said the developed world is very much conscious about the use of pesticides considering the harmful effects of their excessive use.

He stressed the need for giving enough attention to the protection of the environment during the anti-mosquito drive.

He suggested working out such a plan that can effectively control the attack of mosquitoes and save the environment.

The meeting also discussed the roadmap for implementing integrated vector management of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Besides, environmental management, control of chemical and biological issues and creating social awareness were also discussed at the meeting.

The participants in the meeting also suggested forming an advisory committee or a technical committee for proper coordination among the organizations to deal with the vector control issue.

Mayor of Cumilla City Corporation Monirul Haque Sakku, mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Ariful Haque Chowdhury, representatives of Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation, departments of health and environment, university teachers and secretary of the local government division Helaluddin Ahmed among others were present.