“Mosquitoes are doing their job. The question is, as human beings, are you performing your duty?” With this sharp, self-reflective question, Gazipur District Commissioner (DC) Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan urged citizens to take immediate personal responsibility to halt a potential dengue outbreak.
The call to action was delivered on Saturday (June 6, 2026) during a massive anti-dengue awareness campaign and rally jointly organized by the Gazipur District Administration, Gazipur City Corporation, the Civil Surgeon’s Office, and Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.
The colorful rally commenced at the DC office premises, paraded through the city's major thoroughfares, and culminated in a brief but high-impact seminar at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital grounds.
Medical experts at the seminar emphasized that dengue is not a conventional seasonal fever but a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Contrary to popular belief, *Aedes* mosquitoes do not breed in dirty drains; they prefer clean, stagnant water inside or around households. A volume as small as a single teaspoon of stagnant water is sufficient for the mosquito to deposit eggs and propagate.
Once transmitted, the virus rapidly depletes human blood platelets. If left unchecked, classic dengue can escalate into Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome, causing:
Internal bleeding in vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. A sudden, catastrophic drop in blood pressure. Organ failure and rapid fatality if medical intervention is delayed.
Health professionals at the event outlined a mandatory three-tier protocol for the public to survive the peak dengue season:
Source Destruction (Most Critical): Actively inspecting and destroying breeding sites. Citizens must ensure that water does not accumulate for more than three days in flower pots, discarded plastic containers, coconut shells, unused tyres, or rooftop gardens.
Personal Protection: Using mosquito nets even during daytime naps, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and applying mosquito repellents during peak biting hours (early morning and evening).
Early Medical Testing: Undertaking an NS1 Antigen test immediately upon the onset of fever. Experts strictly warned against taking pain relievers like Aspirin or Ibuprofen without a prescription, as these drugs can exacerbate internal bleeding.
Addressing the gathering, DC Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan asked the public to dedicate their Saturdays to cleaning their own neighborhoods. "Keeping your yard, surroundings, homes, and roads clean is entirely your personal responsibility," he stated.
"If we fail to fulfill this civic duty, this life-threatening mosquito will destroy you and your loved ones. Keep yourself and others safe by keeping your environment clean," the DC warned.
The joint initiative saw robust participation from top regional officials, including:
Dr. Mamunur Rahman, Gazipur Civil Surgeon.
Dr. Md. Aminul Islam, Director of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.
Sohel Rana, Chief Waste Management Officer of Gazipur City Corporation.
Belayet Hossain**, Additional Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police.
Senior administrative leaders, including Deputy Director (Local Government) Ahammad Hossain Bhuiyan, Additional DC Shahriar Nazir, and Sadar UNO Sajjat Hossain, also joined hundreds of spontaneous citizens to vow a collective resistance against the disease.
