World Mosquito Day in August commemorates Sir Ronald Ross’s 1897 discovery that mosquitoes spread malaria. In Bangladesh, however, this day highlights the pervasive problem posed by mosquitoes, which now transmit diseases like dengue and chikungunya. In 2023, Bangladesh faced its worst dengue outbreak, with over 1,600 deaths.
This mosquito crisis contributes significantly to global dengue statistics and strains healthcare systems and economies. The financial burden on families grows as they spend on repellents and medical care. Despite spending heavily on traditional mosquito control methods, results have been minimal, with 2024 reporting 575 dengue-related deaths.
Climate change has ironically aided mosquitoes, creating favorable breeding conditions. Europe has also started experiencing dengue outbreaks due to these changes. Efforts by the Awami League government to control mosquitoes through harsh measures have proven ineffective.
A promising development involves genetically modifying mosquitoes with Wolbachia, a bacterium preventing dengue transmission, achieving up to 77% reduction in trials in Indonesia and Brazil. The World Mosquito Programme aims to expand this method in Asia, potentially offering a more effective solution than current methods. However, bureaucratic delays may hinder progress, leaving Bangladesh to confront its mosquito problem while awaiting scientific breakthroughs. The question remains: will democracy succeed where other measures have failed, or will residents continue their nightly battles against these resilient insects?
