Dengue patients top 12,387 with 151 deaths:
Control programs in full swing
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has released latest statistics on dengue. The number of persons affected by dengue so far is 12,387 while 151 persons have died from the disease.
The number of dengue patients reported within this year is 12,387 and 146 is the highest number of persons to die from dengue since 2000.
In 2004, the highest number of dengue patients were reported from Sri Lanka and it was 15,463 but only 88 dengue deaths were reported in the same year.
This year 52 deaths were been reported during last month (May) alone.
The highest number of deaths have been reported from Kandy (25) and Gampaha (25). The highest number of dengue patients have been reported from Kandy (1765), Colombo (1734) and Kegalle (1634).
The Ministry introduced a hotline (0112665329) to report mosquito breeding sites. Under the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act Number 11 of 2007, persons who keep mosquito breeding sites within their properties will have to either pay Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 25,000 fines or be imprisoned for six months.
The Ministry has already identified 68 high risk MOH areas and the Ministry’s dengue control program will be active in those areas from June 27 and 28 at a cost of Rs.6.8 million.
The Ministry’s dengue control program was reviewed and found out that it has brought good results.
The Ministry has appointed 10 officials to supervise the dengue control program in 10 districts where the identified 68 MOH areas are located. The program will be implemented by the Civil Defence Committees, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi animators, MOH officers, PHIs and all the other health officers in the relevant area.
The dengue control program consists of educational programs, shramadana campaigns, inspections and taking legal action against persons who do not cooperate with the authorities to destroy mosquito breeding sites.
Ministry Additional Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayatilleke will coordinate the entire dengue control program.
dailynews.lk
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