Dengue nears 50,000 cases as islandwide control drive begins

Colombo, June 24 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has launched a three-day islandwide dengue control programme today (24) as health authorities race to contain the rapid spread of the disease, which has infected close to 50,000 people and claimed 28 lives so far this year.

The special programme, which will run until Thursday (26), will be carried out in 600 high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions identified as dengue hotspots during the ongoing southwest monsoon season.

The campaign will focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites through coordinated clean-up operations and public awareness programmes involving government institutions, schools and local government authorities. 

A circular outlining short-term dengue prevention measures has already been issued to support the initiative.

The decision to launch the intensified drive was taken at a high-level meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (22), chaired by Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

In light of the situation, health authorities have urged the public to inspect their homes and surroundings regularly, remove stagnant water and cooperate with inspection teams, warning that public participation is crucial to preventing further spread of the disease.