Clean-up campaigns to begin this month as rains spike dengue cases

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) will carry out dengue eradication campaigns starting this month, as the number of dengue patients edge close to 7000, due to heavy rains in the country.

“These campaigns will begin from October 31 and will run for six days,” NDCU Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara told Times Online.

He explained that the exercise would involve fumigation, and clean-up activities, carried out by some 45 officers in teams of three, in areas highly affected by the disease.

According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, nearly 7000 patients had contracted the disease this month alone, compared to last year’s figures which stood at around 1900 in October.

Dr. Jayasekara identified the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Kandy, and Matale districts, as some of the worst affected areas in the country.

He said that there has been an increase in the number of dengue-related cases since the rainy weather creates potential dengue breeding sites.