29 Wards in Dhaka South at High Risk of Dengue, Mosquito Density Above Threshold in 57 Wards: DSCC Survey

Twenty-nine of the 75 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are at high risk of dengue transmission, according to the Monsoon Aedes Larva Survey 2026.

The DSCC published the survey results at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium in the capital on Wednesday, 4 November. The survey was conducted under the corporation's own management to prevent mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and chikungunya.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam released the results. The keynote was presented by the corporation's chief health officer, Dr Jahane Ferdous Binte Rahman.

According to the survey, 29 wards are at high risk, 28 wards are at medium risk and 18 wards are at general risk. Mosquito density has exceeded the set threshold in 57 wards of Dhaka South, creating a major dengue risk.

The 29 high-risk wards are wards 1, 2, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 65 and 71.

The 28 medium-risk wards are wards 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 18, 23, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 46, 51, 52, 57, 64, 67, 68, 69, 73 and 75. The 18 general-risk wards are wards 3, 7, 17, 28, 34, 41, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 63, 66, 70, 72 and 74.

The survey was conducted over 12 days from 27 September to 8 October. Conducted through fully random and scientific methods, it sampled 30 homes from each of the DSCC's 75 wards, a total of 2,250 homes. A total of 36 field workers from the DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control unit of the Directorate General of Health Services took part.

The modern Kobo Toolbox was used to ensure the accuracy of the collected data. Results were analysed through the Breteau Index, House Index, Container Index and Pupae Index, which help identify dengue hotspots.

The findings show larval presence was almost the same in multi-storey buildings and in single homes — about 31 percent in multi-storey buildings and 31.37 percent in standalone homes. Larvae were found in 17.39 percent of semi-pucca homes, about 13 percent of homes under construction and 7.14 percent of empty plots.

Among breeding sources, larvae were found in 14.21 percent of plastic buckets, 11.22 percent of plastic drums, 9.98 percent of stored basement water, 9.23 percent of plastic mugs and 5.99 percent of flower tubs.

According to the survey's conclusion, if citizens are careful about their own yards and containers, about half — 50.9 percent — of Aedes mosquito spread and dengue can be prevented at the initial stage itself.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said dengue cannot be prevented by government initiatives alone. Active citizen participation, keeping homes and workplaces clean, and building a habit of removing stored clean water at least one day a week are equally important.

He said they hope a dengue-free, safe and healthy Dhaka can be built through the cooperation of city residents, a constructive role by the media and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.

The administrator said special mosquito control drives and awareness activities are continuing in the risky areas based on the survey results. In addition, during the DSCC's regular Cleaning Day every Saturday, a special initiative has been taken to clean the yards and toilets of all primary schools to protect children from dengue.

Among others present at the results publication event were DSCC chief executive officer Md Khaybar Rahman, secretary Md Mashiur Rahman Khan, chief waste management officer Air Commodore Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukdar, chief health officer Dr Jahane Ferdous Binte Rahman, and divisional and regional executive officers.