Dengue: HC orders Dhaka city corporations to act against ineffective insecticide

The High Court has ordered the bifurcated city corporations of Dhaka to take legal action against those importing, supplying and purchasing insecticide that is failing to control or destroy dengue-bearing Aedes mosquitos.

The authorities were also directed to import and spray effective insecticide without delay to stop the spread of the mosquito-borne dengue fever.

The city corporations have been told to submit a report on the progress of the initiatives taken under the order on Aug 20.

Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order on Wednesday after a hearing on the measures implemented by the city corporations and its effectiveness in combatting the spread of dengue fever.

Children suffering from dengue at the Holy Family Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

Lawyer Nurunnahar Nupur argued for the city corporations while Manzil Murshed presented the writ petition.

The state was represented by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar.

According to the court, the spread of dengue fever has reached epidemic proportions.

"We had asked you to take measures against the (Aedes) mosquitos but you didn't," the court said.

“Around 21-22 people have died from dengue but even then the city corporations are saying, ‘It's nothing.' The mayor says, ‘nothing's happened.' Around 21-22 people have died, thousands of others are sick -- change your approach."