Over 70,000 Premises Inspected as Nationwide Dengue Drive Continues

COLOMBO (News 1st): Over 70,000 premises were inspected on the starting day of the three-day dengue mosquito control program.

The Ministry of Health stated that during the inspections, a large number of places with dengue mosquito larvae and potential mosquito breeding sites were identified in numerous homes, schools, and government institutions.

The three-day special national dengue mosquito control program, declared by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media, commenced yesterday in 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions across 14 districts.

This three-day national dengue mosquito control program will continue until tomorrow.

The Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, mentioned that the activities on the initial day of the three-day dengue control program were carried out very successfully.

For this program, teams conducted house-to-house inspections of premises, collaborating with state institutions including the tri-forces and the police, Medical Officer of Health offices, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, rural committees, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), Medical Officers of Health, and healthcare staff including dengue assistants.

Accordingly, during the first day of the three-day dengue mosquito program, over 70,000 premises were inspected within 72 MOH divisions, and a large number of potential dengue breeding sites and locations with dengue mosquito larvae were identified in homes, schools, and government institutions.

Due to mosquito larvae sites being reported in numerous institutions and premises, legal action is also scheduled to be taken against them.

Meanwhile, 36,168 dengue cases have been reported so far this year.

The number of deaths reported due to dengue stands at 20.