The Ministry of Health has opened a new Dengue Mosquito Control Operations Office to coordinate dengue prevention across Sri Lanka, citing concern over rising mosquito populations and dengue cases.
The Ministry said the centre was established on Monday, 9 November, under its Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD). It is meant to ensure that dengue control operations are carried out efficiently and without delays.
The opening coincides with a special dengue prevention week from 9 to 14 November, which the Ministry is running in response to changing weather conditions and the risk of higher dengue transmission. The programme covers 74 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in 13 districts that have been identified as dengue-risk areas.
All activities during the prevention week will be coordinated through the new centre, the Ministry said.
After the centre was set up, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa chaired a special meeting with officials on Monday to review the activities and measures needed during the campaign. The discussions focused on strengthening coordination among health authorities and the other institutions involved in prevention work.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health, the National Dengue Control Unit, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces and voluntary organisations took part in the meeting.
Background
Dengue is a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which breed in small collections of clean, standing water. Health authorities in Sri Lanka have for many years run campaigns to clear such breeding sites around homes, schools, workplaces and construction sites.
Cases tend to rise when wet weather leaves water standing in containers, drains, roof gutters and discarded items. This is why prevention campaigns are often timed around changes in the weather.
The National Dengue Control Unit is the part of the Ministry that leads national dengue control efforts. The involvement of the police and the Tri-Forces in such campaigns has been a feature of earlier dengue operations, when teams have inspected premises and advised owners to remove breeding sites.
What it means
Residents of the 74 MOH divisions covered by the prevention week may see inspection teams in their neighbourhoods during the campaign. Households can reduce the risk by regularly emptying and cleaning containers, gutters and other places where water collects around the home.
People who develop a high fever should seek medical advice early instead of waiting, as health authorities generally advise. Sri Lankans abroad with relatives in the affected areas may wish to pass on the prevention message.
