Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Sunday launched a special anti-mosquito drive simultaneously in 29 wards identified as high-risk areas for dengue to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the campaign at the premises of Azimpur Government Staff Quarters.
The campaign will focus on intensive mosquito control and special cleanliness operations, including larviciding and adulticiding, destroying Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, cleaning drains and canals, and removing waste.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Administrator said the 29 wards were identified as high-risk areas through a 12-day Aedes larvae survey conducted across all 75 wards of DSCC from September 27 to October 8.
A total of 2,250 houses were inspected during the survey, with Aedes larvae detected in 322 of them.
The survey, conducted by 36 field workers from DSCC and the Directorate General of Health Services' Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit, used the Kobo Toolbox to collect data.
Based on the survey findings and various Aedes mosquito density indicators, including the Breteau Index, House Index, Container Index, and Pupal Index, 29 wards were classified as high-risk, 28 as medium-risk, and 18 as low-risk areas.
The Administrator said the campaign would also include public awareness activities through loudspeaker announcements, leaflet distribution, and mosques.
Special cleanliness and mosquito-control drives will also be conducted at educational institutions and religious establishments, he said.
Local representatives, institutions, and other stakeholders will be involved in consultations and joint operations. If Aedes larvae are found despite the campaign, legal action will be taken through mobile courts where necessary, he added.
Urging citizens to cooperate, he said the city corporation alone could not prevent dengue without active public participation.
He called on residents to keep their homes, rooftops, balconies, yards, and workplaces clean and remove stagnant water at least once a week.
The Administrator said plastic buckets, drums, basement water, plastic mugs, and flowerpots were among the major sources of Aedes larvae identified in the survey.
DSCC's chief waste management officer, chief health officer, and other senior officials were present at the inauguration.