DHAKA, June 6, 2026 (BSS) -The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has begun extensive preparations to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya ahead of the monsoon season, following a pre-monsoon survey that identified a large number of high-risk areas in the capital.

A survey conducted jointly by DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control unit of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found that 63 of the city corporation’s 75 wards are at risk of Aedes mosquito infestation, with 27 as highly vulnerable. Based on the findings, DSCC has decided to launch a special crash program in these most affected areas.

Talking to BSS, Chief Health Officer (Acting) Dr. Nishat Parveen of the DSCC said the 12-day Aedes larval survey was carried out from May 12 to May 23. A total of 2,250 households, 30 from each ward, were selected as samples, while 36 trained field workers collected data using the digital data collection platform Kobo Toolbox to ensure accuracy.

The survey results were analyzed using key entomological indicators, including the Breteau Index (BI), House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Pupa Index (PI), providing a scientific assessment of mosquito breeding density and dengue risk across different areas.

According to the findings, Aedes mosquito density in 63 wards has reached an alarming level, while conditions in 27 wards are considered highly risky.

During the survey, inspectors visited 2,238 households and detected Aedes larvae and pupae in 281 of them. Multi-story buildings accounted for the highest proportion of infested premises at 35.23 percent. Larvae were also found in 27.76 percent of standalone houses, 17.44 percent of under-construction buildings and 14.59 percent of semi-permanent structures.

The DSCC officials said the findings indicated that rooftops of high-rise buildings, unused water tanks, air-conditioner trays, flower pots, construction-site basements, and other locations where water accumulates have become major breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. As a result, dengue risk is no longer confined to slums or low-income neighborhoods but now extends to modern residential buildings as well.

The survey also revealed significant information about mosquito breeding sites. About 12.26 percent of larvae were found in water accumulated on floors, 10.34 percent in buckets, and 8.89 percent in plastic drums, highlighting that everyday household containers and stagnant clean water remain major sources of Aedes breeding.

DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Abdus Salam told BSS that several initiatives have already been planned based on the survey findings. The most important of these is a five-day special crash program in the 27 high-risk wards beginning on June 7.

Under the program, the health and waste management departments will jointly conduct larval control operations, destroy mosquito breeding sites, carry out cleanliness drives, remove waste, raise public awareness, and intensify monitoring of vulnerable locations.

Salam said similar operations would also be conducted in another 36 moderately risky wards during the following week.

He added that, instead of relying solely on routine mosquito control measures, DSCC is implementing a survey-based, data-driven strategy to ensure rapid and effective interventions in high-risk areas.

As part of public awareness efforts, a rally on dengue and chikungunya prevention was organized on Saturday, starting from Rabindra Sarobar. DSCC plans to expand the campaign to other areas of the city in phases to encourage greater citizen participation in dengue prevention activities.

Public health experts involved in the campaign emphasized that eliminating mosquito breeding sites is more effective than killing adult mosquitoes. Residents have therefore have been urged to observe a weekly “Dry Day” by removing stagnant water from homes, rooftops, balconies, construction sites, flower pots, drums, buckets, and surrounding areas.

Abdus Salam stressed that the city corporation alone cannot prevent dengue. He said coordinated participation from citizens, the media, social organizations, building owners and both public and private institutions is essential to control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes.

He expressed optimism that the early preventive measures, ward-based special operations, and extensive public awareness activities undertaken on the basis of survey data would play a positive role in controlling dengue this year.