Public places, including schools and tuition classes, will be inspected for Dengue from tomorrow.

Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, there is a risk of rapid spread of dengue fever across the island, hence health authorities have declared a special mosquito control week. Under this initiative, special mosquito control programs will be implemented tomorrow (18th) focusing on the premises of all schools, preschools, and private tuition classes, as well as other educational institutions across the island, stated Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Minister revealed this while answering questions raised by journalists at the Cabinet decisions briefing held at the Government Information Department.

The Minister pointed out that this step was taken because, according to dengue inspections carried out so far in the country, 41% of mosquito breeding sites have been reported from school premises. Additionally, 28% of dengue mosquito breeding sites have been identified around religious places and 26% around factories. He also mentioned that currently, the dengue risk has reached a very serious level in 89 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas belonging to 14 districts.

According to data from the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 42,232 dengue patients (or 41,925 according to another report) have been reported in the country so far this year, with 8,390 patients identified in the first few days of June alone. Health authorities also state that approximately 700 new patients were reported on the 15th alone, and confirm that 24 dengue deaths have occurred during this year's period. Community Specialist Doctor Prasila Samaraweera of the National Dengue Control Unit stated that four children are among these fatalities.

This time, a high percentage of 51% of all dengue patients, i.e., 21,451 patients, have been reported from the Colombo District. This is a significant increase of approximately 11,000 patients compared to the corresponding period last year, and due to the high number of patients, all hospitals in the Colombo area are currently filled with dengue patients, according to health authorities. The specialist doctor also pointed out that in addition to Colombo, a large number of dengue patients are reported from Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Ratnapura districts.

During this special mosquito control week, which runs until the 20th, several programs targeting various premises have been organized. Accordingly, from June 15th to 17th, urban areas and public places were cleaned, while on the 18th, educational institutions, and on the 19th, all state and private institutions as well as factory premises will be inspected. On June 20th, the final day of the week, cleaning activities for private homes and their surrounding premises are scheduled to take place. Fogging operations are also being carried out in areas with the highest reported patients, and health authorities kindly request the public to contribute to keeping their living environment constantly clean.

Emphasizing the importance of seeking prompt medical advice if dengue symptoms appear, Specialist Doctor Prasila Samaraweera stated that pregnant mothers, young children, and elderly individuals who develop a fever should be referred for medical treatment within 24 hours. Health authorities further remind that other individuals who have a fever for more than two days should not delay in visiting a qualified doctor or a hospital.