Malaria control campaign to distribute 500,000 mosquito nets

The Health Ministry has provided mosquito nets to residents in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts where Chikungunya, Malaria and Dengue are prevalent.

Health sector sources state that the mosquito population is on the increase due to global warming and monsoon rains. A number of people affected by Chikungunya and Malaria have been reported from these areas.

Over 15,463 dengue patients were reported in 2004 with 88 deaths reported while 28 deaths were reported in 2005.

In 2006, 11,979 patients were reported with 47 deaths while 4,314 patients and 29 deaths were reported last year.

More than1,900 dengue patients were reported in the first two months of 2008.

During the first step of the mosquito net distributing project, 20,000 specially medicated mosquito nets would be distributed among families in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

The Malaria control campaign has taken action to provide 500,000 mosquito nets to the value of Rs. 50 million for families islandwide.