A pre-monsoon survey conducted by the Dhaka South City Corporation has identified 63 of its 75 wards as having Aedes mosquito densities above the acceptable threshold, while 27 wards have been classified as highly vulnerable to dengue outbreaks.
DSCC administrator Md Abdus Salam revealed the findings during a presentation of the pre-monsoon Aedes larvae survey and an action plan at Nagar Bhaban.
The survey was conducted from May 12 to May 23 by a 36-member team from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control unit of the Directorate General of Health Services.
Data were collected from 2,250 households using the digital KoboToolbox platform.
According to the survey, Aedes larvae and pupae were found in 281 households across the city corporation area.
Among the affected premises, the highest proportion of larvae was detected in multi-storey buildings, accounting for 35.23 per cent of the total, followed by single-family houses (27.76 per cent), under-construction buildings (17.44 per cent), and semi-pucca houses (14.59 per cent).
The survey also identified the most common breeding sites. Stagnant water accumulated on floors accounted for 12.26 per cent of breeding grounds, followed by buckets (10.34 per cent) and plastic drums (8.89 per cent).
To tackle the growing risk, DSCC will launch a five-day special crash programme from June 7 in the 27 wards identified as the most vulnerable.
The initiative will be jointly implemented by the city corporation’s health and waste management departments.
A similar programme will be carried out the following week in 36 wards classified as moderately vulnerable.
As part of public awareness efforts, DSCC will organise a rally against dengue and chikungunya from Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi on June 6.
Similar campaigns will later be held in other parts of the city.
Speaking at the event, Abdus Salam stressed that dengue prevention cannot be ensured through government initiatives alone.
‘Active participation of citizens is essential. Residents must keep their homes and workplaces clean and remove stagnant water every three days to prevent mosquito breeding,’ he said.
He also called on media professionals to disseminate accurate information to strengthen public awareness and support dengue prevention efforts.