‘Dengue Free Zone’ declared in every Govt. school

School-based dengue prevention programme

An islandwide school-based dengue prevention programme in association with the Education Ministry targeting 4.2 million schoolchildren has been launched by declaring each and every government school a ‘Dengue Free Zone’, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha said.

Minister Musthapha told the media at his Ministry that the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry was concerned about the fact that the studies had revealed that 48% dengue patients are schoolchildren below 19 years of age among the total number of dengue cases.

“It is sad to note that the schoolchildren are not taught basic dengue prevention like keeping th e i r im m e d i a t e environment clean and tidy in any subject or curriculum and what precautionary actions should be taken if someone falls victim to dengue. If a basic dengue prevention programme was introduced in school at a suitable grade, it will help to control dengue,” Minister Musthapha stressed and added that is what his ministry is planning to do.

Minister Musthapha said Local Government bodies have been instructed to take strict legal measures against those who dump solid waste on road side and house owners who fail to destroy dengue breeding grounds in their premises while expediting the house to house inspections..

Meanwhile, the Government Epidemiology Unit yesterday said 91,073 suspected dengue cases have been reported to the Epidemiology Unit from all over the island by yesterday.

Approximately 43.01% of dengue cases were reported from the Western province. The highest numbers of dengue cases were reported during the 25 week of 2017.

This situation warrants

It is sad to note that the schoolchildren are not taught basic dengue prevention like keeping their immediate environment clean and tidy in any subject or curriculum and what precautionary actions should be taken if someone falls victim to dengue

regular removal of possible mosquito breeding sites from the environment. It is also important to seek medical attention in the event of fever by day three of the illness.

The number of dengue related deaths stood at 274 by yesterday.