DSCC launches survey to map Aedes breeding sites, dengue-risk areas

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has begun a 12-day survey to identify Aedes mosquito breeding sites and areas at high risk of dengue.

DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam inaugurated the monsoon survey at Nagar Bhaban on Monday.

The survey will run across all 75 DSCC wards until Oct 8, the DSCC said in a statement.

Teams will inspect 2,250 homes, with 30 houses randomly selected from each ward, to assess mosquito prevalence and identify major breeding sources across the city corporation’s 10 zones.

The DSCC said the findings would be used to identify high-risk areas and guide mosquito-control measures.

"It is essential to identify breeding sites and high-risk areas through scientific methods and take appropriate measures to control dengue," Salam said.

"This survey will provide an accurate picture of the current situation in the DSCC, based on which we will take effective measures."

Urging residents to cooperate, Salam said a pre-monsoon survey had identified stagnant water in and around homes as the main breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.

"Residents need to remain aware and keep rooftops, balconies, construction sites and surrounding areas free of stagnant water," he said.

"Aedes mosquito control will be possible only if citizens come forward alongside the city corporation."

A total of 72 field workers from the DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) branch of the Directorate General of Health Services will collect data.

The teams will use the KoboToolbox application to record the findings.

After the survey, the data will be analysed using four measures -- the Breteau Index (BI), House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Pupa Index (PI) -- to assess the presence and distribution of Aedes larvae.

Areas will then be divided into three risk categories based on the Breteau Index: high risk at 20 or above, moderate risk from 10 to 19, and low risk below 10.

The DSCC said mosquito-control operations would be stepped up in identified hotspots through cleanliness drives, larvicide use and special crash programmes.