Dhaka's mosquito infestation has reached an alarming level, sparking fears of the worst dengue outbreak in years as the monsoon season approaches, despite a hefty Tk 200 crore allocation for mosquito control. Experts warn that the absence of a year-round strategy is exacerbating the crisis, making a swift resolution unlikely. Daily Life Under Siege From homes and offices to schools and mosques, mosquitoes have infiltrated every corner of the capital. The situation is particularly unbearable during Ramadan, disrupting Iftar and Sehri for millions. Shafiqul Islam, a resident of Bashundhara, shared his ordeal: “Mosquitoes swarm before dusk and persist all night. Despite trying various repellents, we can’t escape them. We shut our doors and windows early, yet even the tiniest gap allows them in.” Previously, ward councillors oversaw mosquito control efforts and waste management. However, following the ouster of the then government on August 5, they have gone into hiding. Residents claim this has left a governance vacuum, with an administrative cadre officer now overseeing multiple wards, limiting on-ground monitoring. Low-Lying Areas Hit Hardest Jahangirnagar University: Students struggle as mosquitoes take over The worst-affected areas include Uttara, Dakkhinkhan, Bashundhara, Mirpur, Kamrangirchar, Aminbazar, Mohammadpur, Bosila, Shanir Akhra and Dholaipar. Stagnant water in drains, ponds, and canals has created the perfect breeding ground for Culex mosquitoes. Moinuddin, a resident of Rampura, voiced his frustration: “Every year, mosquitoes make life miserable, but this time, it’s worse. We pay taxes, yet mosquito control services remain ineffective.” Budget Allocation vs. Reality For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has allocated Tk 111 crore for mosquito control, with a similar budget from Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). However, many residents argue that the situation is deteriorating rather than improving. They stress the need for year-round interventions, including efficient spraying and enhanced waste management, to curb mosquito breeding. Experts Raise the Alarm Dr. Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, warned that the current mosquito surge had been predicted in a January study. “Our research anticipated a spike in mosquito numbers in February and March, and the evidence is now clear. If mosquito control was maintained throughout the year, the infestation wouldn’t have reached this level,” he said. Dhaka’s mosquito menace spirals out of control; frustration mounts Dr. Bashar revealed alarming figures: mosquito larvae density has soared from 12-17 per dip last year to over 87 this year. Similarly, the density of flying mosquitoes per person per hour has jumped from 25 to over 300. City Corporations’ Response DNCC CEO Abu Sayeed Md. Kamruzzaman insisted that efforts are underway, with regional officials directed to spray pesticides regularly. However, he emphasised that public cooperation is crucial in eliminating breeding grounds. Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, DNCC’s Chief Health Officer, pointed out that mosquito control requires more than just pesticide spraying. “Stagnant water in drains, ponds, sewers, and canals is a major contributor to the rising mosquito population,” he noted. He added that technical teams and task forces have been formed to assess pesticide effectiveness and recommend improvements. DSCC CEO Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman stated, “We are consistently spraying repellents in all wards. With mosquito numbers peaking during monsoon, we are intensifying proactive measures.” Dr. Nishat Parveen, DSCC’s Chief Health Officer, reiterated that pre-monsoon efforts are being ramped up to contain mosquito infestations. Time for Decisive Action Adviser Hassan Ariff calls for expert involvement in mosquito control Dhaka is at a breaking point. Experts caution that piecemeal solutions are no longer sufficient. Unless authorities implement advanced mosquito control strategies and deploy potent pesticides, a severe public health disaster is imminent. With dengue season fast approaching, only immediate, well-coordinated action can prevent the crisis from spiralling out of control.

Eight new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,554 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), new cases were reported as follows: three in Khulna Division (Out of CC), two in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), two in Dhaka North City Corporation and one in Dhaka Division (Out of CC). Every family could face a cancer case by 2030 without greater awareness, experts warn The number of deaths remained at 13, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 65 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Edible oil in drums poses a threat to public health: PROGGA According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

Six more new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,385 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), one new case was reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, while the remaining cases were in the Chattogram Division (outside the city corporation). The number of deaths remained at 12, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 90 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the first on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 392 at 9am this morning (February 10, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'hazardous', referring to an alarming health risk to residents, according to the AQI index. Though Sunday’s air quality was marked as very unhealthy with an AQI score of 201, the air worsened on Monday marking ‘hazardous.’ When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and Vietnam’s Hanoi cities respectively occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 261, 258 and 187 respectively. Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst in the world this morning The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Thirty-seven more new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,295 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), three of the new cases were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, while five were hospitalised in Dhaka North City Corporation. The number of deaths remained at 11, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Antimicrobial Resistance in Bangladesh: Growing Threat and Urgent Solutions Currently, 91 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year. Every family could face a cancer case by 2030 without greater awareness, experts warn

Seventeen new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,187 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), two of the new cases were reported in the Dhaka South City Corporation, while two were hospitalised in the Dhaka Division (outside the city corporation). Edible oil in drums poses a threat to public health: PROGGA The number of deaths remained at 10, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 120 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. HMPV may become fatal with continuous mutation: Dr Sayedur Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in 2024.

Dhaka is facing an unprecedented mosquito crisis as Culex mosquitoes multiply at alarming rates, turning what was once a seasonal nuisance into a year-round public health emergency. Despite significant financial allocations and mosquito control efforts, the situation continues to deteriorate, leaving residents frustrated and vulnerable to life-threatening diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Dengue Cases Soar In 2024 alone, Bangladesh recorded 101,214 dengue cases and 575 deaths, with Dhaka bearing the brunt of the outbreak. While authorities claim to be working to control the spread, mosquito infestations in homes, offices, and public spaces have only worsened. Many residents report that mosquito control measures, such as fumigation and larvicide spraying, have become increasingly irregular. What was once a weekly mosquito control drive in Dhaka’s wards has now become sporadic, with some areas going months without intervention. In response, families have been forced to rely on mosquito coils, sprays, and nets throughout the day and night—yet the relentless mosquito population shows no signs of decline. City Corporations Struggle to Contain The Dhaka North and South City Corporations (DNCC and DSCC) insist they are conducting daily mosquito control operations, but the worsening infestation tells a different story. Complaints from the public highlight serious gaps in these efforts, with many questioning whether the allocated funds are being effectively utilised. Experts warn that if drastic action is not taken immediately, Dhaka could face yet another record-breaking dengue outbreak in the coming months. Government Promises but Little Action Local Government Division Secretary Nizam Uddin told UNB that city corporations have been instructed to intensify their mosquito control activities. However, he admitted that the absence of elected officials has slowed progress. Read: Adviser Hassan Ariff calls for expert involvement in mosquito control "Efforts to control mosquitoes must continue year-round," he said, urging residents to take personal precautions, such as eliminating stagnant water and maintaining cleanliness. Authorities have also imposed fines on those found responsible for creating mosquito breeding grounds, but experts argue that these measures fall far short of what is needed to curb the crisis. Culex Mosquitoes on the Rise Professor Dr. Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist from Jahangirnagar University, revealed that the Culex mosquito population has been rising since early January and is expected to peak by March. If left unchecked, the crisis could escalate further. Dr. Bashar also pointed out that Dhaka’s city corporations have failed to meet the conditions outlined in their agreement with researchers. "Studies on mosquito larvae and pesticide efficacy have been conducted in five DNCC zones, but no concrete action has followed. Without immediate and sustained intervention, we are staring at a major health crisis," he warned. Frustration Mounts Anger is growing among Dhaka’s residents, who feel abandoned in the face of the worsening mosquito invasion. "Since August, no one has monitored mosquito control activities in our area," said Mainuddin, a resident of Bashundhara Residential Area. "No one is held accountable, and the government needs to act immediately." Read more: 8,380 mosquito breeding grounds destroyed nationwide in a day: Local Government Division Junaid from Badda shared similar frustrations, "Mosquitoes are everywhere—morning, afternoon, and night. We have to sleep under nets all day. The situation is worsening, but the city corporation remains ineffective." Shaheedul Haque from Mirpur added that even children are now at greater risk. "The Aedes mosquito problem is worse than ever, and there’s no relief in sight." Where is the Money Going? The DNCC has allocated Tk 110 crore for mosquito control in the current fiscal year, yet the infestation has only intensified. Sources within the health department suggest that following the political transition in August, efforts have become less coordinated, exacerbating the problem. Despite implementing a year-round mosquito control programme, DSCC has also failed to make a noticeable impact. Even with an intensified anti-mosquito drive launched in January, residents see little evidence of improvement. Minimal pesticide use and weak enforcement of control measures have allowed mosquitoes to thrive. Poor Waste Management Experts identify stagnant water, unclean drains, and ineffective control measures as the main contributors to the crisis. Read more: DSCC launches ‘Cleanliness and Mosquito Eradication’ operation While residents are encouraged to remove mosquito breeding sites from their homes, the lack of decisive action from the authorities has allowed the problem to escalate. Time to Act Now Dhaka’s mosquito infestation has reached a tipping point. Without urgent, coordinated action—including modern control techniques and effective pesticides—the entire city is at risk. Experts stress that the time for half-measures has passed. Immediate intervention is necessary before this crisis spirals further out of control.

Eighty-five new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals in 24 hours till Monday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 916 this year. Of the new cases, three were reported in the Dhaka North City Corporation, while seven others were hospitalised in the Dhaka South City Corporation, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). 19 dengue patients hospitalised in 24hrs The number of deaths remained at 8, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 221 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. 46 dengue patients hospitalised in 24hrs Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in 2024.  

Nineteen new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 791 this year. Of the new cases, eleven were reported in the Dhaka North City Corporation alone, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). HMPV may become fatal with continuous mutation: Dr Sayedur The number of deaths remained at 7, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 254 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. First reported HMPV case in Bangladesh ends in death Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in 2024.

Two more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to seven this year. During the period, 31 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, seven dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while nine were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Some 275 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. Read: Dengue: One more death reported in 24hrs Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. In 2023, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries in the same year.