Sri Lanka to launch two-year national programme to eliminate dengue

Sri Lanka must implement a planned and targeted national programme to eliminate dengue within the next two years, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said on Wednesday.

The minister made the remarks during a special meeting at the National Hospital in Colombo to review the situation in high-risk Medical Officer of Health areas and strengthen mosquito-control programmes.

Officials discussed shortcomings in measures implemented during the previous high-risk dengue period, the identification of vulnerable areas and the launch of coordinated mosquito-control operations.

The meeting also focused on increasing technical support, strengthening treatment services and reducing dengue-related deaths.

Jayatissa said the reduction in dengue deaths in recent months was a significant achievement. However, he stressed that mosquito-control activities must continue even when fewer cases are reported.

He instructed officials to implement a systematic programme extending to the Grama Niladhari division level under the supervision of the Health Ministry.

National Dengue Control Unit Director Kapila Kannangara said the risk of dengue remained, although control measures had reduced the number of cases reported each day from about 1,300 to between 350 and 400.

As of Tuesday, Sri Lanka had reported 87,536 dengue cases and 63 deaths, Kannangara said.

He added that authorities must continue mosquito-control programmes without interruption, particularly in view of the approaching rainy season and the effects of climate change.