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With the onset of the monsoon season, the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes has increased at an alarming rate in Rajshahi city, raising fears of a severe dengue outbreak if immediate preventive measures are not taken.
According to the latest pre-monsoon entomological survey conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Rajshahi’s Aedes breeding indicators are far above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) high-risk threshold for dengue transmission.
The survey, carried out in May, found the city’s Breteau Index (BI) at 30.66, while the WHO considers a BI above 20 to indicate a high risk of dengue transmission.
Inspectors visited 75 households and found Aedes larvae in 15 homes, resulting in a House Index of 20%. Among 52 water-holding containers examined, 23 tested positive for larvae, giving a Container Index of 44.23%. Public health experts say finding larvae in one out of every five houses and in nearly half of the water containers indicates significant gaps in eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
Abdul Bari, an entomology technician at the divisional health office, said regular monitoring has shown a steady rise in both Aedes larvae and adult mosquitoes across the city. He warned that the situation could worsen further with increased rainfall.
District entomologist Umme Habiba said larvae were found in flower pots, rooftop gardens, discarded plastics, coconut shells, yogurt containers, children’s toys and various other water-holding objects. The survey report and recommendations have already been sent to the Rajshahi City Corporation.
The dengue threat is also becoming evident at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. On June 5, a one-and-a-half-year-old child named Taiba died in the hospital’s intensive care unit after contracting dengue shortly after recovering from measles. From January to May this year, 51 dengue patients were admitted to the hospital, and three people, including one child, died during that period.
