Dengue Task Force to be strengthened

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Health Ministry will strengthen the activities of its Dengue Task Force (DTF) in a bid to eradicate the spread of the epidemic in the country during the rainy season in April, May and June.

The DTF was initiated by the Health Ministry in February to destroy dengue mosquito breeding grounds, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 67 persons islandwide for this year.

Head of the Health Ministry's Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Paba Palihawadana told the Sunday Observer that the main task of the DTF is to co-ordinate with officials from grass roots level and take precautionary measures to stop the spread of the disease.

The DTF is Cabinet-approved and has the authority to fine those found guilty of violating the Mosquito Breeding Control Act of 2009.

Quoting statistics, Dr. Palihawadana said nearly 11,100 dengue cases have been reported from various parts of the country this year.

Accordingly, the DTF has identified dengue high risk zones in the districts of Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Hambantota, Kalutara, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Vavuniya. Meanwhile, Health Ministry's Senior Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Peiris reiterated that no vaccine or any other treatment has so far been produced to combat this disease and it is the duty of the public to engage in dengue eradication activities from time to time.