New village‑level strategy aims to beat dengue fast

COLOMBO (News 1st); Public health inspectors across the island have been given authority to carry out targeted mosquito‑control and site‑inspection activities as part of an expanded national effort to curb dengue transmission, the Health Ministry said.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary‑Specialist to the Ministry of Health, said all health offices have been notified and that public health inspectors will provide technical support for dengue eradication activities. For the first time, the country is rolling out coordinated dengue‑control operations and data‑collection at the village level.

The initiative will operate through village administrations and involve Gram Niladhari officers, midwives, and local community strength committees, officials said. Teams will identify and inspect potential mosquito‑breeding sites, collect local reports of dengue cases and compile case and location data at the village level for quicker, more focused responses.

Dengue risk health officers are implementing a special second‑day mosquito‑eradication programme today, deployed by district and divisional health authorities, the Ministry added.

Kapila Kannangara, Director of the National Dengue Suppression Unit, said the operation covers all villages nationwide.