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Entomologist Manjur A Chowdhury, former president of Zoological Society of Bangladesh, said intermittent rains and high humidity create the perfect conditions for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to thrive.

“Intermittent rain can fill discarded containers with water, which is where the Aedes mosquito lays its eggs. Besides, there is a strong link between high humidity and the increased biting behaviour of the Aedes mosquitoes.”

So, the likelihood of dengue cases increasing this month is significant, Manjur added.

GM Saifur Rahman, an entomologist at National University, Bangladesh, said, “Dhaka city may develop herd immunity against dengue due to the large number of people infected with the virus since 2000. However, the chances of cases increasing outside the capital remain high.

“If we do not control the Aedes mosquito population, there is a risk that a large number of eggs will be laid by Aedes mosquito this season. These eggs may hatch next season and lead to another outbreak.”

During the lean period of dengue (November to April), the authorities need to identify active clusters and carry out an extensive drive, including source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding, until the reproductive chain of the Aedes mosquitoes is broken, Saifur added.