- Mossie control week from 30 June-5 July in 16 districts
The health authorities urged the public to take only paracetamol to treat fever and to refrain from taking any other medicine without a doctor's advice.
The National Dengue Control Unit's (NDCU) community medicine specialist Dr. Priscilla Samaraweera added that several diseases which cause fever are spreading in the country, and that therefore, it is crucial for the public to know what responses are acceptable. She made this statement while speaking to the media yesterday (19).
"If one experiences high fever, headache, body ache, joint pain and nausea, see a qualified doctor within two days and find out for sure whether what you have is dengue," she said, adding that the public's cooperation is essential to control dengue.
Dr. Samaraweera explained that the NDCU has declared a national dengue eradication week from 30 June to 5 July in 16 districts of the country. A mosquito control week will be implemented in 16 districts from 30 June to 5 July, the NDCU announced. Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo, Dr. Samaraweera stated that due to the increase in mosquito density caused by the prevailing South-West monsoon rains, the programme has been scheduled to curb the spread.
“A mosquito control week is being implemented again in 111 medical officers of health divisions across 16 Districts. Our teams will visit high-risk areas to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. If breeding grounds are carelessly maintained, red notices will be issued, and legal action will be taken,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Samaraweera also reported that over 26,000 dengue patients (26,775) have been recorded island-wide so far this year with 24 dengue-related deaths. She added that one child death has been reported so far, while 45% of the dengue cases have been reported from the Western Province. Dr. Samaraweera further added, “There have been 26,775 dengue patients and 14 dengue-related deaths across Sri Lanka. The highest numbers of patients have been reported from the Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern Provinces.”