National dengue control week to begin tomorrow

The "National Dengue Control Week", jointly implemented by state institutions, the health sector, and the Sri Lanka Police, will commence tomorrow (15) to suppress the high-risk dengue situation across the island.

The special suppression week will operate until 20 June. A special discussion to brief all sectors took place today (14), led by Provincial Councils and Local Government Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath, with the participation of doctors from the National Dengue Control Unit and officers from the Police Environmental Protection Division.

Dengue is created around our living environments and cannot be suppressed by the health sector or government institutions alone without the direct contribution of the public, Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath emphasised during the discussion.

The number of dengue cases reported in the country usually approaches nearly 1,000 per week, but that limit is now exceeded, and the reporting of patients is rising rapidly in a multiplier manner, National Dengue Control Unit Community Health Specialist Dr Jagath Amerasinghe revealed.

Consequently, the number of daily hospitalisations is increasing, and deaths could rise if the situation exceeds the capacity of the health sectors, he warned.

Young children, youth, and women are among those who died from dengue so far this year, National Dengue Control Unit Director Dr Kapila Kannangara stated. He noted that the loss of the future generation of the country, the youth who provide labour, and mothers to their children is a very sad situation.

The highest percentage of breeding sites, specifically 41.8% of places with mosquito larvae during premises inspections conducted so far, was recorded from educational institutions led by schools, Dengue Control Unit Entomologist Sakunthala Janaki pointed out.

She said 28,913 larval densities and mosquito breeding sites are found at present, with 26% consisting of discarded items and 14% being main breeding sites with temporarily removed ownership.

Complaints can be made to the environmental police if larvae are found within construction premises that have a higher probability of mosquito breeding, Sri Lanka Police Environmental Protection Division Director Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Perera stated. He added that steps will be taken to obtain a restraining order from a magistrate against the relevant premises under Section 98 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The island-wide programme operating from tomorrow (15) to 20 June is scheduled as follows:

• 15 to 17 June (Monday - Wednesday): Cleaning public places including towns, drainage systems, shopping complexes, religious places, and bus stands.

• 18 June (Thursday): Cleaning all educational institution premises including schools, pre-schools, and private tuition classes.

• 19 June (Friday): Cleaning all state and private institutions as well as factory premises.

• 20 June (Saturday): Cleaning private houses and surrounding premises.