National Mosquito Control Month begins today

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The first National Mosquito Control Month declared by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on Dengue will begin today and continue until July 25, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

The decision for a Dengue Control Month was taken at a meeting with the Presidential Task Force during the Dengue Week.

The inauguration ceremony will be held today in Malpura, Chilaw under Minister Sirisena's patronage.

According to statistics issued by 44 hospitals islandwide, around 15,500 dengue cases and 75 deaths were reported during the past six months. Personnel attached to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Security Department will be deployed in dengue control activities under the guidance of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

A large number of microbiology assistants and Public Health Instructors will assist in these activities.

According to a circular issued by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, all ministries, departments, authorities, commissions, corporations, statutory bodies and government institutions had been informed to appoint Dengue Control Committees.

A Health Ministry spokesman said the response had however been poor. The Health Ministry and the Defence Ministry have decided to implement these rules strictly from today, the spokesman said.

Dengue control groups will take immediate action to destroy mosquito breeding places in homes and institutions . All measures will be taken to institue legal action against persons who do not maintain clean surroundings. The Health Ministry urged the public to destroy mosquito breeding places in their areas.