National Mosquito Eradication Week ends:

Over 16,000 dengue breeding sites detected

Disna MUDALIGE

The National Mosquito Eradication Week organized by the Health Ministry to eradicate dengue, covering all 305 MOH Divisions, concluded yesterday. During the Mosquito Eradication week which commenced on June 20, 468,841 premises were inspected by the Health Ministry officials.

Of this figure, 121,640 places with high mosquito larvae density were detected. In addition, mosquito larvae was found at 16,010 sites, while 258,268 persons were warned to take immediate measures to destroy mosquito breeding places.

Legal action will be taken against owners of 10,067 premises which contained a large quantity of mosquito larvae.

The Health Ministry said that higher public interest and participation were witnessed in the mosquito eradication programme throughout the week except for a few incidents.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena requested the public to carry out a similar mosquito eradication programme once a week allocating at least 30 minutes. “The lifespan of a mosquito is seven days. Therefore, the public must come forward to destroy mosquito breeding places considering it as a duty with national importance” the minister said.