Dengue Surge Puts Pressure On Hospitals, Special Eradication Drive Underway to Curb Dengue

COLOMBO (News 1st): A Special Dengue Eradication Programme will commence today (06) across the Western Province.

The programme is being coordinated under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative on behalf of the Presidential Secretariat.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, said that 6,160 premises were inspected under the programme yesterday.

As a result, red notices were issued to 97 premises, while legal action was initiated against 67 others for the presence of areas conducive to mosquito breeding.

The programme was conducted yesterday in the MOH areas of Maharagama, Kaduwela, Homagama, Gothatuwa, Battaramulla and Piliyandala, as well as within the Colombo Municipal Council area.

Dr. Kannangara said the Special Dengue Eradication Programme was also carried out in the MOH divisions of Biyagama, Kelaniya, Seeduwa, Ja-Ela, Mahara, Wattala, Negombo and Minuwangoda in the Gampaha District, and in Panadura, Bandaragama, Horana, Ingiriya and Kalutara in the Kalutara District.

Dr. Kapila Kannangara stated that the current Dengue Eradication Programmes are being conducted as an Short Term Emergency measure to curb the spread of Dengue.

He stated that the current level of spread of Dengue has adversely affected the patients capacity in hospitals and urged the necessity of eradicating Dengue as it has affected facilitating medical assistance to other patients as well. 

Dr. Kapila Kannangara also urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they develop a fever.

Accordingly he stated that it is important to seek immediate medical assistance as fever is a common symptom of Influenza, Meningitis and other Viral Fevers which are all diseases spreading in the country. 

Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Unit says the total number of dengue cases reported islandwide has risen to 59,638.

52% of these cases have been reported from the Western Province.

The Unit added that 15% of the total cases have been reported from the Southern Province, while 9% have been reported from the Sabaragamuwa Province.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, said that the Dengue Operations Centre established to rapidly curb the spread of the disease is open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

The operations centre is being overlooked by a medical officer, a public health inspector, personnel from the tri-forces and police officers.

A special hotline has also been introduced to report individuals who maintain premises in a manner that facilitates mosquito breeding.

The hotline number is 0117 966 366.