National Mosquito Control Week begins tomorrow

by Ananda Kannangara

The Health Ministry has allocated Rs. 300 million for the National Dengue Eradication program and given more-teeth to the “Mosquito Breeding Control Act” to empower the authorities to take stringent action against householders who don’t clear dengue breeding grounds in their compounds.

Health Ministry Additional Secretary, Dr. Palitha Maheepala told the Sunday Observer that Provincial Health officials and Local Authorities with the assistance of the Security Forces will visit all households in the country to monitor the dengue control programs, being carried out during the National Mosquito Control Week which commences from tomorrow and continues till January 22.

Accordingly, all households will be issued special cards after officials inspect the properties, lands and buildings.

Dr. Maheepala said that red notices will be issued to people who fail to clear dengue breeding grounds. Thereafter, legal action will be instituted against them.

According to the Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit, around 674 dengue patients and seven deaths had been reported from all parts of the country upto now.