Mobile courts to be launched to crackdown dengue: Health Minister

The government will launch mobile court operations across the capital as part of an intensified drive against dengue, with fines to be imposed on homeowners and institutions where Aedes mosquito larvae or stagnant water are found, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said.

He made the announcement at the inauguration ceremony of a three-month special dengue prevention campaign organised by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) at Robindro Sorobor in Dhanmondi on Saturday (June 6).

During speaking, the minister said authorities are adopting tougher measures to curb the growing dengue threat in the interest of public health.

He said awareness campaigns through public announcements will begin shortly, while special inspection teams will conduct door-to-door visits in different neighbourhoods. Mobile courts will take immediate action against houses, commercial establishments, educational institutions, and other facilities where mosquito breeding grounds are detected.

“The fight against dengue cannot be won without public participation,” the minister said, stressing that authorities of both public and private institutions must ensure their premises remain clean and free from stagnant water.

Legal action will be taken against those found negligent, he added.

Urging residents to remain vigilant, Sakhawat Husain highlighted common breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes, including coconut shells, flower pots, rooftop gardens, unused toilets, drains, and other containers where water can accumulate.

The minister expressed concern over the latest findings from Dhaka South City Corporation, revealing that Aedes larvae have been detected in nearly 60 per cent of the city’s 75 wards.

“This is alarming. If these larvae mature into adult mosquitoes, the risk of dengue transmission could rise significantly,” he warned.

Calling for a united response, the health minister urged citizens, local authorities, and the media to play an active role in raising awareness and eliminating mosquito breeding sites before the peak dengue season intensifies.

The three-month campaign aims to strengthen surveillance, improve public awareness, and reduce mosquito breeding across the capital as health authorities prepare for a potential surge in dengue cases during the monsoon season.