National dengue campaign covered 97,871 locations

The Ministry of Health states that out of a total of 97,871 premises inspected during the three-day national dengue mosquito control programme conducted by the National Dengue Control Unit, mosquito larvae were found in 6,268 premises (6.4%).

The Ministry further noted that 25,626 premises (26.2%) were identified as high-risk locations where mosquito breeding could potentially occur.

This special three-day programme, which began on the 8th across 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in 14 districts, concluded on June 10, and the final progress report was released today (11) by the National Dengue Control Unit.

According to the report, the highest proportion of mosquito larvae was detected in industrial facilities and construction sites.

Larvae were found in 32.9% of inspected industrial premises and 21.8% of construction sites.

In addition, 89,417 houses were inspected, and mosquito larvae were detected in 5,250 homes.

During the operation, authorities also cleaned and corrected 21,025 premises that were found to be conducive to mosquito breeding.

Furthermore, 3,348 red notices were issued against those failing to comply with health guidelines and maintaining mosquito breeding conditions, while legal action has been initiated against 2,401 premises owners, the Ministry added.

The three-day operation covered homes, public and private institutions, religious sites, industrial premises, workplaces, schools, shops, privately owned lands and buildings without owners, government lands and buildings, and vacant lands identified as high-risk areas by health authorities.

The campaign was carried out through coordinated house-to-house inspections by joint teams comprising the tri-forces, police, government institutions, MOH offices, NGOs, community-based organisations, rural committees, public health inspectors, medical officers of health, and dengue control assistants.

In addition to identifying breeding sites, fumigation activities were carried out in high-risk zones, along with nationwide public awareness programmes.