National Mosquito Control Week from today

The National Dengue Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Health, together with the Presidential Task Force on Dengue Prevention, has declared National Mosquito Control Week from 26 September to 2 October.

The Mosquito Control Week will function in 175 MOH areas throughout the country.

According to the Health Ministry, there is a significant drop in the number of dengue patients in 2018. Compared to last year, a 70% decrease in the number of dengue patients has been reported in 2018.

However, with the arrival of north-east monsoon rains, the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine has decided to continue implementing dengue eradication programs in order to minimise the number of dengue patients and Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has instructed the National Dengue Prevention Unit to take necessary action.

Around 6,000 members of the Police, Tri-forces, Civil Defense Force and Community Health Teams are engaged in this task. At the grassroots level, Grama Niladharis and Development Officers are also expected to provide assistance. Steps have been taken to focus more on school and construction premises.

Since dengue mosquitos can breed in any environment, the National Dengue Control Unit requests the public to allocate half an hour a week to clean their environment and remove any possible dengue mosquito breeding grounds in their premises.