63 DSCC wards at dengue risk, 27 in critical zone: Survey

A pre-monsoon survey conducted by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has revealed that 63 out of its 75 wards have Aedes mosquito densities exceeding the acceptable threshold, with 27 wards identified as highly vulnerable to dengue outbreaks.

The findings were disclosed on Thursday by DSCC Administrator and Freedom Fighter Md. Abdus Salam while addressing a programme titled "Presentation of Pre-Monsoon Aedes Larvae Survey Results and Action Plan" at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium in Gulistan.

The survey was conducted between May 12 and May 23 by a 36-member team comprising officials from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Data were collected from 2,250 households using the digital platform KoboToolbox.

According to the survey, Aedes larvae and pupae were detected in 281 households.

The highest concentration of larvae was found in multi-storey buildings, accounting for 35.23 percent of identified breeding sites. Single-family houses accounted for 27.76 percent, followed by under-construction buildings at 17.44 percent and semi-permanent houses at 14.59 percent.

In terms of breeding sources, 12.26 percent of larvae were found in stagnant water accumulated on floors, while 10.34 percent were detected in buckets and 8.89 percent in plastic drums.

Based on the survey findings, DSCC will launch a five-day special crash programme from June 7 in the 27 high-risk wards. The initiative will be jointly implemented by the Health Department and the Waste Management Department to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of dengue.

A similar programme will be carried out in 36 moderately vulnerable wards during the following week.

As part of its public awareness efforts, DSCC will organize a rally on June 6 from Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi to promote dengue and chikungunya prevention. Similar awareness campaigns will be held in other areas of the city in phases.

Speaking at the event, Md. Abdus Salam emphasized that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to control dengue.