Dengue risk soars in Rajshahi
The dengue threat in Rajshahi has intensified as the density of Aedes mosquitoes has nearly doubled in five areas of the city in just two months, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
A recent entomological survey conducted by the health authorities found a Breteau Index (BI) of 61.33 in the five areas, compared with 30.66 recorded in the same areas in May.
Health officials consider a Breteau Index above 20 to indicate a high-risk
area for dengue transmission. The latest figure is therefore more than three times the threshold considered indicative of high risk.
The survey was conducted from August 3 to 10 in Kazihata, Chandipur, Uparbhadra, Namobhadra and Hazrapukur areas of Rajshahi city.
During the survey, health officials inspected 75 houses and found Aedes mosquito larvae in 24 of them. They also examined 68 water-holding containers, with mosquito larvae detected in 46.
The survey teams collected 685 mosquito larvae from different breeding sites. Laboratory identification found 505 Aedes albopictus and 86 Aedes aegypti larvae, while the remaining 94 larvae belonged to other mosquito species.
The larvae were found in a variety of places and containers capable of holding stagnant water, including flowerpots, plastic and ceramic tubs, clay and tin containers, coconut shells, cement tubs, drums, submerged floors, paint buckets and plastic buckets.
Health officials said such breeding sites can provide ideal conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, particularly when stagnant water remains undisturbed.
Rajshahi Divisional Director of Health Dr Habibur Rahman described the latest Breteau Index as worrying.
Following the survey, the health authorities sent a letter to the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation, requesting immediate and necessary measures to prevent dengue and control Aedes mosquito breeding.
The sharp increase in the index has raised concern among health officials because it indicates that the number of potential mosquito breeding sites has increased significantly in a relatively short period.
The development has also coincided with a rise in dengue patients at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), the largest public hospital in the region.
Dengue patients rise at RMCH
Hospital data show that only one dengue patient was receiving treatment at RMCH on June 13.
The number increased to nine by July 30 and continued to rise during August. There were 30 dengue patients on August 10, while the number reached a peak of 33 on August 15.
The number subsequently fluctuated. The hospital recorded 32 patients on August 18, 28 on August 19 and 27 on August 20.
A dengue patient also died at the hospital on August 11.
Hospital authorities said the pressure of dengue patients had increased slightly but maintained that the hospital was prepared to provide treatment to those requiring medical care.
The simultaneous increase in Aedes breeding density and dengue cases has heightened concern that transmission could intensify in the city unless breeding grounds are eliminated quickly.
City corporation intensifies preventive measures
Against this backdrop, Rajshahi City Corporation has stepped up its dengue-prevention activities.
On August 27, the city corporation held the first meeting of a committee formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
According to the city corporation, its preventive programme includes public awareness campaigns, fogging operations to control adult mosquitoes, destruction of mosquito larvae at breeding sites and special cleanliness drives.
Officials said, however, that municipal measures alone would not be sufficient to prevent dengue transmission.
They urged residents to take responsibility for keeping their homes, rooftops, gardens and surrounding areas clean and to ensure that water does not remain stagnant in containers or other places.
Health officials have repeatedly stressed that Aedes mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of stagnant water, making household-level prevention particularly important.
Aedes breeding sites widespread
The findings of the latest survey indicate that potential breeding sites are present in a wide range of everyday household and construction-related containers.
Flowerpots, buckets, tubs, drums and other water-holding objects can become breeding grounds when they are left exposed to rain or filled with stagnant water. The presence of both Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti in significant numbers has added to concerns over dengue transmission.
Aedes aegypti is a major vector of dengue, while Aedes albopictus is also capable of transmitting the virus. With the Breteau Index rising from 30.66 in May to 61.33 in August, health authorities are seeking stronger and more coordinated measures to destroy breeding grounds and prevent further spread of the disease.
National dengue situation also worsening
The situation in Rajshahi comes as Bangladesh continues to record a significant dengue burden this year.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 32,248 dengue patients had been admitted to hospitals across the country by August 27.
The disease had claimed 88 lives during the year, while 2,083 patients were undergoing treatment in hospitals as of that date.
Health experts and authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of eliminating Aedes breeding grounds as a key measure to control dengue.
In Rajshahi, the sharp rise in the Aedes breeding index, combined with the growing number of dengue patients at RMCH, has put the city authorities under renewed pressure to intensify mosquito-control operations.
Health officials are urging residents, local government agencies and other stakeholders to work together to remove stagnant water and destroy potential breeding sites before the situation deteriorates further.
