27 Dhaka South wards at 'extreme risk' of dengue, finds survey

A high density of Aedes larvae was found in 63 wards under the Dhaka South City Corporation, with 27 of them identified as being at "extreme risk" of dengue transmission, according to a pre-monsoon survey.

Findings of the survey, conducted by Dhaka South, were revealed at an event held at the Nagar Bhaban yesterday.

According to the survey, 36 workers from the Dhaka South and the Communicable Disease Control Unit of the Directorate General of Health Services collected data from 2,250 households between 12 and 23 May. They detected Aedes larvae and pupae in 281 of those properties.

Among the houses where larvae were found, 35.23% are high-rise buildings, 27.76% are individual houses, 17.44% under-construction buildings, 14.59% semi-concrete houses.

In terms of breeding sites, stagnant water accumulated on floors posed the greatest risk, accounting for 12.26% of cases. Buckets 10.34% and plastic drums 8.89% were also identified as significant breeding grounds.

To address the situation, the Dhaka South will launch a five-day special "crash programme" from 7 June in the 27 wards deemed most at risk.

Similar operations will subsequently be carried out in further 36 wards.

Speaking at the event, Dhaka South Administrator Md Abdus Salam said that alongside government initiatives, active public participation was essential to controlling dengue.

He urged residents to keep their homes and workplaces clean and to develop the habit of regularly removing standing water, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.