Keeping cattle markets clean a must during Eid

What we are hearing from entomologists in the city is that hay, when wet, provides suitable conditions for the Aedes mosquito to lay its eggs. If there is consistent rain, then hay, a staple food for cattle, which have begun to arrive in their thousands for Eid-ul-Adha, could potentially pose a new level of threat for the expansion of the dengue outbreak. So what is to be done? Experts believe that if the cattle grounds can be kept clean by actively seeking out breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, the city can be made safe.   

That is easier said than done. The lacklustre performance of Dhaka's two city corporations in tackling the dengue outbreak leaves a lot to be desired. As with every Eid-ul-Adha, we have officially designated cattle markets and unofficial ones. To what extent our city authorities have prepared for the formation of mobile teams, to tour the city's markets that will be hosting the sacrificial animals, remains the million-dollar question. But there is also the question of the dissemination of information among cattle traders and sellers who will be bringing their animals to the markets: have we really thought out the consequences of inaction here?

Today, the city hospitals and hospitals outside the city are barely coping with the existing outbreak of dengue. And if what experts are fearing turn out to be true—that is, there is incessant rain and fresh water puddles form everywhere and the hay that feeds these animals cannot be kept dry—who will take responsibility for a fresh outbreak of the dengue? And how will hospitals cope with the fresh wave of dengue-affected patients? We hope the news has reached our city fathers and precautionary measures have been taken, like making sure these markets have proper drainage system. But as per media reports, many of them do not. People need to be made aware of covering their bodies when they visit the markets, but again, where is the public awareness campaign? Without greater awareness, this is yet another public health hazard waiting to happen.