Jhenaidah, Magura record high dengue density

Staff Reporter :

Aedes mosquitoes, the carrier of dengue fever have been rising at an alarming rate beyond the capital, as highlighted by a recent survey by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), which found dangerously high levels of Aedes larvae in Jhenaidah and Magura.

The “Entomological Survey of Dengue Vector 2024-2025” was carried out in Dhaka in February and in eight other districts between March and May. The findings were unveiled on Wednesday at the IEDCR auditorium.

Findings say in Jhenaidah municipality, Aedes larvae were found in 54 of 270 inspected households, with a Breteau Index (BI) of 60-far above the World Health Organisation’s high-risk threshold of 20. In Magura, the BI was also significantly high at 55.

The risky areas were identified based on the BI score. When the BI exceeds 20, the area is classified as “highly risky”.

Meanwhile, a total of 212 new dengue cases were reported across the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the number of confirmed cases to 6,678 since the beginning of this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the new patients, 197 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it.Currently, 761 dengue patients are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.

Presenting the findings, IEDCR Director Dr Tahmina Shirin said Jhenaidah and Magura are among the most affected districts outside Dhaka. In Pirojpur and Magura, 100% of the vector mosquitoes identified were Aedes albopictus, known for breeding in outdoor containers.

The IEDCR team has also launched an outbreak investigation in Barguna, where dengue cases are surging. “Due to water scarcity, residents store water in large clay pots, which are turning into breeding sites for mosquitoes,” said Dr Shirin.