‘Dengue has not reached epidemic proportions’

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the Dengue epidemic has not reached high proportions as made out by certain sections of the media.

A continuous program is being implemented by the Health Ministry to combat Dengue. As a result, there is a significant drop in the spread of Dengue, the Minister told the Sunday Observer.

The Minister said 74 persons had died due to Dengue during the past six months. There is a decline in the percentage of Dengue related deaths compared to those in the past few years as the Ministry’s program to combat Dengue has been successful. Even today, the number of Dengue patients in hospitals is low.

Dengue is not confined only to Sri Lanka, it has become a serious problem in all tropical and our neighbouring countries too. Therefore, everybody should support the Ministry’s program to combat Dengue.

The Health Ministry is conducting its Dengue prevention campaign in Sri Lanka successfully.

This program should be carried forward. A Presidential Task Force has also been set up to combat Dengue and all Ministries have made a concerted effort to make this endeavour a success, he said.

Minister Sirisena said the Dengue prevention campaign has been successful compared to other countries. Some countries have been unable to control the spread of dengue.

In Sri Lanka, we have controlled the spread of dengue due to the successful program implemented by us.