Mosquito Control Takes Wing

By Raisa Wickrematunge

Another National Mosquito Control Week was declared from June 20 to 26, in view of a ‘risk of resurgence of [the] dengue epidemic.”
The Epidemiology Unit website reports that there have been 2286 cases of dengue reported in June alone.
Once again, Colombo is the worst affected, with 1,146 cases reported this month, and 3,413 reported for the year. Gampaha is also badly hit, with 1,113 cases this year. Six people succumbed to the deadly virus this month alone, although this figure shows a significant decrease compared to last month’s figures (19).
Altogether, the Ministry of Health reports that there have been 9,083 recorded cases of dengue this year alone and 69 deaths.
A circular issued from the Presidential Secretariat and signed by Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, instructed all institutions (including schools and offices) to clear their premises starting from June 20, in order to eliminate possible dengue breeding sites.