Mosquito Control Week from May 14

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena declared the National Mosquito Control Week from May 14 to 20. The week is aimed at accelerating and improving the effectiveness of mosquito breeding site eradication activities. Over 120 teams of entomologists are working to carry our surveys to control vector borne diseases.

The minister appealed to the public to be vigilant on mosquito breeding sites and dengue fever specially during the rainy season. Addressing the Presidential Task Force on Controlling Dengue which met at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday Minister Sirisena pointed out that the present weather is ideal for dengue mosquito breeding.

He completely denied the allegation directed at the Health Ministry in connection with conducting of mosquito breeding site eradication activities only during dengue reaching its peaks.

The ministry is working everyday without taking a break to control vector borne diseases and to eradicate mosquito breeding sites countrywide, he said.

Minister Sirisena pointed out that the number of dengue deaths had been going down significantly due to strengthening of treatment and care. Special training had been given to medical staff and they had been educated on special treatment and care. Special units have already been set up at state hospitals located in highly affected areas.

He also thanked the Armed Forces and all line ministries for their continued support and contribution towards dengue control activities. President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Vanniarachchi, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and many spoke. Officials from police, armed forces, state ministries and many other state institutions were also present.

* Over 11,000 dengue cases reported from countrywide during last four months
* Dengue deaths have been gone down significantly (by 50 per cent)
* Western Province recorded over 51 per cent of the total number of dengue cases in the countrywide
* Most affected districts are Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara
* Most affected MOH areas are Kolonnawa, Dehiwala, Kotte and CMC

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) has gone up to 15 per cent.