(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –The number of dengue patients reported in the country has increased to nearly 43,000 and 25 percent of them are school children, Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne, Director of Dengue Control Unit said.
The authorities urge the public to destroy mosquito breeding grounds around the houses and schools as 42,961 dengue cases have been reported so far this year and 3,557 dengue cases have been reported this month alone.
This year, the highest number of dengue cases have been reported from the Western Province with 21,435 cases. Gampaha district reported the highest with 9,554 cases, 9143 cases from Colombo district and 2,738 from the Kalutara District have been reported.
An increase in dengue cases has been reported from Kurunegala, Puttalam and Kandy districts.
Meanwhile, health authorities have said that there is an increase of dengue patients in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts as well while 67 MOH divisions have been identified as high risk areas.
Many dengue prevention programs are underway in schools across the country before the third phase of the first school term of government schools and government approved private schools start Monday (12).
Spraying of chemicals using drones to prevent mosquito breeding in Kerawalapitiya Waste Disposal Plant has been initiated by the Sri Lanka Air Force and Gampaha Medical Officer of Health (MOH) division.
