14 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : ICMR Director-General Rajiv Bahl has warned that dengue prevention must begin inside and around homes, pointing out that the mosquitoes that spread dengue can breed in surprisingly small amounts of stagnant water.
Speaking during a visit to Kolkata, Bahl highlighted common household objects such as flower pots and discarded bottles as potential breeding sites for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes Can Breed Close to Homes
Bahl said the dengue-causing mosquito can breed inside or close to houses. Even a flower pot containing water can become a breeding site.
He explained that mosquito eggs may already be present in a container and can hatch when water is added. Similarly, a discarded bottle containing even a small amount of water can provide a suitable environment for breeding.
Why Small Amounts of Water Matter
The warning is important because people often associate mosquito breeding with large pools or dirty drains. However, Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, can breed in man-made containers holding relatively small quantities of water.
India’s National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control lists coolers, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, bottles, tyres and other water-holding containers among potential breeding sites.
Dengue Prevention Starts at Home
Bahl’s message puts household-level prevention at the centre of dengue control.
Residents can reduce breeding opportunities by regularly:
- Emptying stagnant water from containers.
- Cleaning and drying coolers.
- Checking flower pots and plant trays.
- Keeping water-storage containers covered.
- Removing discarded bottles, tyres and other objects that can collect rainwater.
- Inspecting areas around the house after rainfall.
Official guidance also recommends regularly cleaning and scrubbing coolers before refilling them.
Aedes Mosquito Is a Day Biter
The dengue vector is different from the mosquitoes many people associate with nighttime bites.
Aedes mosquitoes are primarily day-biting mosquitoes and commonly feed on humans in domestic and peri-domestic environments. They can rest in dark corners of homes and under furniture or on hanging objects.
This makes protection throughout the day important, particularly in areas experiencing increased dengue transmission.
Dengue Risk Rises During the Season
Bahl’s warning comes as several Indian cities are reporting increased dengue activity.
In Bhopal, seven confirmed dengue cases were reported during the first 11 days of September, already exceeding the number recorded there during the same month last year.
In Chandigarh’s neighbouring Mohali, health teams recently found dengue mosquito larvae in around 12 houses in Phase 9, including in flower pots, coolers and other containers holding stagnant water.
Public Participation Is Crucial
Dengue control cannot depend entirely on municipal spraying or fogging.
Government guidance has repeatedly stressed the importance of public participation in eliminating breeding sites around homes. Removing stagnant water prevents mosquitoes from completing their breeding cycle and can reduce the local mosquito population.
Mosquito Control Faces New Challenges
Vector control is also becoming more complicated in some areas.
An ICMR-National Institute of Virology study found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in parts of Pune have developed resistance to permethrin, a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide. The finding highlights why mosquito-control programmes may need integrated approaches rather than relying only on chemical spraying.
What Residents Should Watch For
Dengue commonly causes fever, headache, muscle and joint pain and skin rash. More serious warning signs can include bleeding, severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting.
People developing significant or persistent symptoms should seek medical advice rather than relying solely on home treatment.
ICMR Also Working on Dengue Vaccine
Bahl’s comments come as India continues efforts to develop an indigenous dengue vaccine.
According to a report published on Monday, Bahl said India could potentially have its own dengue vaccine by the end of 2027, subject to successful trials and regulatory processes.
Small Household Checks Can Make a Difference
The central message from the ICMR chief is simple: dengue prevention does not begin only when cases appear.
Regularly checking flower pots, coolers, bottles, buckets, plant trays and other water-holding objects can remove breeding sites before mosquito numbers increase.
As dengue activity rises in parts of India, household vigilance, community participation and coordinated mosquito surveillance remain important tools for reducing transmission.