Drop in dengue epidemic, says Health Minister

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Over 6000 persons including schoolchildren have so far participated in numerous dengue eradication programs in all parts of the country during the third National Dengue Control week which will conclude on December 7 (Tuesday).

The Health Ministry announced the third National Dengue Control Week from December 01 to 7 on a directive of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister Sirisena told the Sunday Observer that the on-going program too has shown a significant reduction of the dengue epidemic

like the first and second National Dengue Eradication programs conducted during the first part of this year.

He said if every citizen in the country thinks that eradicating the mosquito menace is a national duty, the Government's Dengue Eradication Program or any other similar epidemic could be controlled successfully.

According to Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit statistics 33,242 dengue patients have so far been reported from various parts of the country and around 235 persons have lost their lives during the past eleven months.

He said the Environmental Ministry had carried out number of cleaning programs during this period, while schoolchildren participated in shramadana campaigns in their school environments.

The Health Minister thanked the Presidential Task Force, the Armed Forces and the Police, all State and Non-Governmental Organisations, Divisional Secretariats, Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabas for the assistance being given to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.