Form expert committee for dengue control: HC

The High Court (HC) has directed the government to establish a high-powered committee comprising local and international experts to strategize controlling and preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

This directive, issued to officials including the Local Government Division secretary and the Health secretary, mandates the formation of the expert panel within 60 days.

The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf passed the order during a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on Monday.

In addition, the court has instructed authorities to implement effective measures against the spread of dengue and other mosquito-transmitted illnesses, with a requirement to report progress within 30 days.

The writ petition, filed by lawyer Bani Ismail last week, sought urgent intervention to combat the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases.

During the hearing, lawyer Mahin M Rahman, alongside Ashiqur Rahman, represented the petitioner. Deputy Attorney General Mahfuz Bin Yusuf, Deputy Attorney General Shafiqur Rahman and Assistant Attorney General Ikramul Kabir represented the state.