National Mosquito Control Month brings positive results

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The National Mosquito Control Month has brought significant improvement in controlling dengue. In the first few months of this year, over 56 percent of the total number of dengue cases had been reported from the Western Province. This has decreased to 46 percent (10 per cent decrease), a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, the number of dengue deaths reported by June (before the commencement of the National Mosquito Control Month) was 74 and only three dengue deaths had been reported since then. Seventy seven dengue deaths had been reported up to now. Around 74 percent of adults and 26 percent of children died from dengue.

Most of the deaths in adults were due to negligence and other complications developed due to other chronic diseases,such as, diabetes.

"The first National Mosquito Control Month declared by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on Dengue commenced on June 25 and will continue till July 25. Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Security Department personnel 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," he said.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga issued a circular stating that all ministries, departments, authorities, commissions, corporations, statutory bodies and government institutions should appoint Dengue Control Committees. Dengue control groups will take immediate action to destroy mosquito breeding places located everywhere.

"All measures will be taken to institute legal action against mosquito breeders," he added.