Dhaka:The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a special anti-mosquito campaign in 29 wards identified as high-risk areas for dengue. This initiative aims to curb the spread of the mosquito-borne disease across the city.
According to United News of Bangladesh, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the campaign at the Azimpur Government Staff Quarters. The initiative will focus on intensive mosquito control measures and cleanliness operations, including larviciding and adulticiding, removing Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, cleaning drains and canals, and waste removal.
During the inauguration, the Administrator highlighted that the wards were classified as high-risk based on a 12-day survey conducted from September 27 to October 8. The survey involved inspecting 2,250 houses, with Aedes larvae found in 322 of them. The data was collected using the Kobo Toolbox and involved collaboration between 36 field workers from DSCC and the Directorate General of Health Services' Communicable Disease Control unit.
The survey utilized various indicators, such as the Breteau Index, House Index, Container Index, and Pupal Index, to classify the risk levels of different wards. Besides the 29 high-risk wards, 28 were identified as medium-risk, and 18 as low-risk.
Public awareness activities, including loudspeaker announcements, leaflet distribution, and collaboration with mosques, will accompany the campaign. Special mosquito-control efforts will target educational institutions and religious establishments. Local representatives and other stakeholders will participate in consultations and joint operations. Legal action through mobile courts will be pursued if Aedes larvae are detected despite these efforts.
The Administrator emphasized the necessity of public cooperation in preventing dengue, urging residents to maintain cleanliness in their homes and surroundings to eliminate stagnant water sources. The survey identified common sources of Aedes larvae, such as plastic buckets, drums, basement water, plastic mugs, and flowerpots. DSCC's chief waste management officer, chief health officer, and other senior officials attended the campaign's inauguration.