Initiate immediate dengue prevention measures: Circular to govt. institutions
The Presidential Secretariat has issued an urgent circular to heads of all government institutions instructing them to initiate immediate dengue prevention measures amid an alarming spike in dengue cases.
Issued by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, the circular states the Western Province is a high-risk zone for dengue, while data indicates the disease is now spreading rapidly across the country.
Special attention should be paid to identify potential dengue mosquito breeding places in government and private institutions, construction sites, schools, religious places, areas where fisheries activities are conducted, houses and common areas in urban centres, it states.
Every institution has been directed to establish a committee to identify and eradicate breeding grounds, and take follow-up action. With assistance from other officials, it must carry out dengue prevention activities in their respective institutions from 9 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. every Friday.
The head of each institution is responsible to ensure the instructions are followed. He or she must also submit a detailed report to the area Medical Officer of Health (MOH), who will review it and provide technical support based on their
Every institution has been directed to establish a committee to identify and eradicate breeding grounds, and take follow-up action. With assistance from other officials, it must carry out dengue prevention activities in their respective institutions from 9 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. every Friday.
observations. They will also monitor the situation regularly.
Directing, supervising and coordinating dengue prevention efforts at provincial level – with assistance from the National Dengue Control Unit and other health authorities – will be by provincial governors and sub-committees appointed to prevent the spread of dengue, the circular decreed.
The number of dengue patients reported last year was 76,689 according to the National Dengue Control Unit. By last week, the number for 2023 had hit 87,078 – an increase of more than 10,000.