Aedes larvae at alarming level in Dhaka

The city-dwellers are at high risk of dengue infection as an alarming density of Aedes larvae has been found in Dhaka. People of 55 wards in the capital are at high risk of dengue infection, according to a government survey.
The average density of Aedes larvae in the two Dhaka city corporations was found to be 24.89 per cent. It is considered alarming or an out-of-control situation if the density of Aedes larvae is above 20 per cent.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) disclosed these as part of its Pre-monsoon Aedes Survey 2023 result. The DGHS Disease Control Wing conducted the survey in the capital’s two city corporation areas on June 18-25.
DGHS line director Prof. Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam shared the survey details at a conference on Tuesday. DGHS chief Prof. Dr. A. B. M. Khurshid Alam was also present.
The prevalence of dengue was high in the areas around Mugda Medical College Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in the capital.
According to the survey data, a total of 3,149 houses were surveyed in 40 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 58 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Aedes mosquito larvae were found in 549 houses.
Prof. Nazmul said Breteau index is the recognised method of measuring the density of Aedes mosquito larvae. It implies that the situation is out of control, if the larval density is more than 20 per cent.
“The survey showed that the rate of dengue infection in 27 wards of DNCC and 28 wards of DSCC was at a risky level.”
The average density of Aedes larvae in the two city corporation areas was 24.89 per cent, according to the survey findings.
The situation was more alarming for multistoried buildings, as Aedes mosquito larvae were found in 43.53 per cent multistoried buildings in Dhaka. The rate was 49.52 per cent in highrise buildings in DNCC and 41.15 per cent in DSCC.
Larvae were also found at an alarming rate in houses, under-construction structures, vacant land, plastic drums, mugs, tires, and cement water tanks.
Experts said the dengue situation has become dire this year even before the season starts. Bangladesh has never faced such a terrible situation before the onset of dengue season.
Prof Nazmul also said two city corporation areas were under the same risk, as Aedes mosquito larvae were found across the city wherever rainwater accumulated.
In the meantime, five more dengue patients died and 678 others were hospitalised in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, according to the DGHS.
A total of 61 people died from dengue fever this year, taking the total number of dengue cases to 8,141. Some 1,669 dengue patients were still undergoing treatment, of whom 569 were outside Dhaka.
nsrafsanju@gmail.com