Culex mosquito menace to peak in March: Experts
Although Aedes mosquitoes are currently fewer in number, Culex mosquitoes are increasing and will reach their peak in March.
Although the number of dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes has declined somewhat, the population of Culex mosquitoes is increasing and is expected to peak in March this year, experts have warned.
"The rise of Culex mosquitoes and the possible return of Aedes indicate that Dhaka's mosquito problem is no longer seasonal but a structural and scientific crisis," said Kabirul Bashar, professor at Jahangirnagar University, today (3 January) while speaking at a discussion in the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
"Although Aedes mosquitoes are currently fewer in number, Culex mosquitoes are increasing and will reach their peak in March. I can say with certainty that city residents will have to endure this suffering. That is why authorities and citizens must act now," he said, at the discussion titled "Mosquito menace and civic suffering".
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He said it must be acknowledged that eliminating mosquitoes from Dhaka is impossible without citizen participation.
"The authorities cannot evade responsibility, but citizens' negligence is equally to blame. Water accumulated on rooftops, unused containers and uncovered water tanks—these small acts of neglect lead to major disasters," stated Dr Kabirul Bashar.
He added that mosquitoes in Dhaka are not merely a nuisance but a major test of public health, urban management and administrative capacity.
Citing mosquito surveillance data from Jahangirnagar University, he said Culex mosquitoes are increasing in an almost uncontrolled manner in the capital.
According to the data, around 85% of adult mosquitoes collected in Dhaka during the last week of December 2025 were of the Culex species.
"This is not a statistical coincidence; it reflects years of failure in urban management. Unplanned drainage systems, drains left uncleared for years, and waterlogged basements and parking areas have turned Dhaka into an ideal breeding ground for Culex mosquitoes," he said.
Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Health Officer Dr Nishat Parvin said city corporations alone cannot reduce dengue or mosquito infestation.
"Every citizen must keep their homes and surrounding areas clean and remain aware. We are working at the field level, but success is impossible without public participation. If everyone works together, the dream of a mosquito-free Dhaka can be realised," she said.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) President and urban planner Dr Md Ariful Islam said permanent, not temporary, relief from mosquito infestation is needed.
"Unplanned urbanisation, housing, drainage and waste management are the core obstacles. Without proper planning, no initiative will deliver the desired outcome. Public awareness is also mandatory—without it, no effort will be effective," he said.
