Photo : PID

DHAKA, Sept 12, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said dengue must be prevented at any cost. 

“Dengue must be prevented at any cost. It is not enough to conduct campaigns only at specific times; potential Aedes breeding grounds must be identified and destroyed regularly throughout the year,” he said. 

To pursue the campaign, he said the year-round efforts are needed to identify and destroy potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes. 

He made the remarks while inspecting cleanliness and dengue prevention activities at Road No. 27 in Dhanmondi and Rapa Plaza area in the capital today.

Alam, and Chairman of the National Taskforce Committee on Dengue, said that the inspection was part of the three-month-long nationwide “Dengue Prevention and Cleanliness Campaign-2026. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today formally inaugurated the campaign today from South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in the capital. 

After the inauguration, the state minister visited several field-level activities. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam was also present.

During the inspection, Mir Shahe Alam examined ongoing cleanliness operations, potential Aedes mosquito breeding sites and the surrounding environment. 

He also spoke with city corporation officials and sanitation workers and reviewed the progress of dengue prevention measures.

Earlier, he visited a cleanliness campaign conducted by voluntary organisation BD Clean at the capital’s Swech Bhaban and gave necessary directions to those involved.

He said cleanliness activities must be turned into a continuous social movement. 

Alongside government agencies, individuals, families, educational institutions, businesses, voluntary organisations and people from all sections of society must play responsible roles in preventing dengue.

Briefing journalists after the inspection, the state minister said the nationwide three-month special campaign had begun following its inauguration by the prime minister. 

“The objective is not merely to kill mosquitoes but to prevent the creation of Aedes breeding grounds through cleanliness and public awareness and to establish lasting awareness among citizens,” he said.

He said preventive measures were being given the highest priority. 

To prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the surroundings of homes, under-construction buildings, government and private offices, educational institutions and other establishments must be kept clean regularly, he opined.

The state minister also said initiatives had been taken to increase the number of sanitation workers in city corporations to make cleanliness operations more effective. Steps are also being taken to expand the scope and capacity of cleanliness activities, he added. 

Identifying under-construction buildings as one of the most vulnerable places for Aedes breeding, he urged building owners, developers and all concerned to exercise maximum caution. 

Stagnant water in construction materials, drums, buckets, pits or other locations can create breeding grounds for Aedes mosquito larvae, he said.

The state minister further warned that if anyone neglects their responsibilities and creates an environment conducive to Aedes breeding despite being made aware and cautioned, legal action would be taken under existing laws, including fines through mobile courts and, if necessary, imprisonment.

However, he urged all concerned to come forward to prevent dengue through awareness and responsible behaviour rather than waiting for punitive measures.

Officials of Dhaka South City Corporation, sanitation workers, members of voluntary organisations and other stakeholders were present during the inspection.