NDCU to launch special campaign in areas badly affected by dengue

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) says it will commence inspections and fumigation of areas badly affected by the Dengue fever, next Thursday (Nov 28).

The exercise which will continue till December 4 will see the inspection of public places and houses, to destroy potential breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes.

"This time we would be using the assistance of the tri-forces as well," NDCU Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara told Times Online.

According to the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit, more than 8900 cases of dengue fever were reported countrywide so far this month, almost twice the number of cases reported in November last year.

Dr. Jayasekara observed that the fever had badly affected districts such as Jaffna, Kalmunai, Colombo, Gampaha, and Matale, due to inter-monsoonal rains.

This situation is expected to worsen during the North East Monsoon in December if steps are not taken to mitigate the spread of the disease, the NDCU Director added.

So far, the highest number of cases have been reported from the Colombo District with figures standing above 2000, Epidemiology Unit statistics show.