Dhaka South launches pre-monsoon larva survey to prevent dengue, chikungunya

The Dhaka South City Corporation has launched a pre-monsoon Aedes mosquito larva survey programme aimed at preventing dengue and chikungunya in the capital.

The programme was inaugurated by DSCC Administrator Mohammad Abdus Salam today (10 May).

Speaking at the event, he said dengue and chikungunya have become major threats to public life in recent years, prompting the city corporation to take effective preventive measures to protect residents from the risks posed by Aedes mosquito-borne diseases.

He stressed the importance of identifying disease hotspots across Dhaka city.

“If we can accurately identify the areas where outbreaks are more severe, effective measures can be taken quickly. This will help prevent the spread of the diseases before they escalate,” he said.

Calling on survey workers to perform their duties responsibly, Abdus Salam warned against submitting false reports without conducting field visits.

“This is a matter of life and death for people. Filing fabricated reports without visiting the designated areas would not only be negligence of duty, but also equivalent to playing with human lives,” he said.

Under the 10-day programme, surveys will be conducted at 2,250 houses across all 75 wards under Dhaka South jurisdiction. Teams will inspect 30 houses in each ward.

The city corporation administrator said officials have also been instructed to take immediate action wherever Aedes mosquito larvae or risky breeding environments are found during the survey.

As a result, preventive measures will be carried out simultaneously alongside the inspection activities, he added.

He said diseases such as malaria were once major public health threats but were gradually brought under control over time.

“We also want to bring dengue and chikungunya under control in the same way. At the very least, we are working to reduce infections and deaths to the lowest possible level this year,” he said.

Abdus Salam also expressed hope that the successful implementation of the programme would help restore a sense of relief and safety among city residents.