18 Dhaka wards at high dengue risk: DGHS

A recent survey by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has found a high density of Aedes mosquito larvae, responsible for transmitting the dengue virus, in 18 wards across the two city corporations of Dhaka.

A high larva concentration was found in the Paikpara, Mohakhali and Gulshan areas of Dhaka North, and in the Bashabo, Green Road, and Naya Paltan of Dhaka South.

According to the Pre-Monsoon Aedes Survey 2024, the high-risk wards of Dhaka South are 3, 4, 5, 13, 15, 16, 17, 23, 52, 54. In Dhaka North, the high-risk wards are 12, 13, 20, 36, 31, 32, 17 and 33.

The risky areas were identified based on the Breteau Index (BI) score. When the BI exceeds 20, the area is classified as high risk.

The Breteau Index is a simple measure used to assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases by calculating the number of mosquito breeding sites per 100 houses.

Conducted between 17 and 26 April, the survey recorded the presence of Aedes mosquitoes in 14.30% of houses in Dhaka North and 14.98% of houses in Dhaka South.

A total of 3,152 households in 99 wards across both city corporations were inspected, said DGHS Director (Disease Control) Dr Sheikh Daud Adnan at a press briefing held in the DGHS conference room on Tuesday.

Out of 463 households, larvae were found in 42.33% of multi-storied buildings, 21.6% of independent houses, 21.6% of under-construction houses, 12.74% of semi-finished houses and 1.73% of open spaces.

At the event, Emeritus Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, the personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said citizens have an important role to play in controlling Aedes mosquitoes, as these mosquitoes breed in clean water.

"If everyone is not aware of this, then the situation can become quite dire this year," he added.

The survey identified Aedes larvae in diverse settings, including waterlogged rooms or building floors, plastic drums, and assorted abandoned plastic containers. 

In Dhaka South, mosquito larvae were discovered in 16.39% of abandoned containers, while in Dhaka North, the proportion was slightly lower at 14.30%.

Deaths and hospitalisation from dengue fever from January to 28 May have already surpassed numbers in the same period last year. 

The DGHS has reported 35 deaths from dengue over the five months, more than double the number from the same period last year with 13 deaths. Hospital admissions for dengue have also more than doubled compared to last year. 

The country reported a record-breaking 3,21,179 dengue cases and 1,705 deaths in 2023.