Nationwide dengue eradication continues for the second day

A countrywide dengue eradication campaign continued for the second consecutive day with multiple search operations on houses, business premises and government establishments.

The campaign week kicked off from the Nugegoda Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area on Sunday (7).

The Director of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, Director of NDCU Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, together with representatives from dengue response units and members of the community, attended the launch program held at the Wijerama Rajamaha Viharaya. 

Following the event, an awareness campaign was conducted at Wijerama Primary School.

The primary focus of the dengue prevention week will be on 70 high-risk zones, Medical Officer of Health at the NDCU Dr. Sashini Ranaweera told the TimesOnline.

January 8-10 will be centered on 35 MOH areas of Colombo, Kalutara, Jaffna and Mannar Districts whilst the rest of the 35 MOH areas of the remaining districts will be the focus of inspection and control from January 11-13.

Police, health officials and volunteers will take part in the campaign.

Months of entomological surveys over the past year have uncovered that the top most potential breeding sites are civic spaces, including both private and public institutions.

Awareness efforts will also be jointly held in the said districts, given the recent observations of a dengue surge.

Last year, 88,398 Dengue cases were reported across the country with 57 deaths, according to the NDCU.

Meanwhile, to combat and prevent dengue, a new public hotline has been set up.

According to the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health, the hotline 011 79 66 366 is currently operational from Monday to January 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for any concerns pertaining to dengue.

Health authorities further urge the public to provide the officials who visit and clean the premises throughout the week with their fullest support.