DSCC starts pre-monsoon Aedes survey

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Sunday launched its first-ever pre-monsoon Aedes mosquito larvae survey under its own management aimed at preventing dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in the capital.

DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam inaugurated the programme at Buriganga Hall of Nagar Bhaban in the morning.

The 12-day survey will cover 2,250 households, with 30 houses selected from each of DSCC’s 75 wards through a random scientific sampling method.

A total of 36 field workers from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control branch of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) are involved in the exercise. Data collection is being conducted using the digital platform KoboToolbox to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Officials said the survey results will be analysed using standard entomological indicators such as the Breteau Index, House Index, Container Index and Pupa Index, which will help identify potential dengue hotspots in the city.

Speaking at the inauguration, Abdus Salam said dengue has emerged as a serious public health threat, and the initiative has been taken to detect breeding sources in advance and prevent outbreaks.

He also cautioned field workers against negligence, saying strict action would be taken against anyone submitting false reports without visiting assigned locations. He termed the survey a “matter of life and death” for city residents.

Following the programme launch, the DSCC administrator inspected survey activities at the Central Veterinary Hospital in Fulbaria, where mosquito larvae, stagnant water and waste were found on the premises.

Expressing dissatisfaction, he directed the authorities to take immediate corrective measures and ordered spraying of mosquito control chemicals to eliminate breeding sources.

DSCC further stated that routine mosquito control operations will continue alongside the survey, with swift action to be taken wherever larvae or high-risk areas are detected.