Dengue mitigation compulsory for schools

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Health Ministry yesterday said all schools in the country should be involved in mosquito mitigating activities while cleaning school premises, in accordance with 2010/22 circular issued by the Education Ministry.

Twenty four percent of the total dengue patients in the country are between five-15 years. It is the responsibility of parents, Principals and teachers to protect children from dengue.

“The danger lies in the fact that dengue mosquitoes are out at the time children normally play or study. Adults should be careful,” a Ministry spokesman said.

Dengue mosquitoes require human blood for breeding only once. But they require it several times a day. Schools are the most suitable places for it during daytime.

According to the Education Ministry circular all schools should launch mosquito mitigation activities once a week from 7.30 am to 8.30 am. Public Health Officers (PHIs) should visit a school a day and make teachers and students aware of it during the National Mosquito Control Month.

The PHIs should present a report to the Medical Officer of Health about the schools not implementing the mosquito mitigation programme.