Colombo, June 15 (IANS). There is a rapid increase in dengue cases in Sri Lanka in the year 2026. Sri Lankan Health Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said that a new strain of dengue virus is spreading, increasing the risk of spread of the infection. Authorities on Monday launched a nationwide prevention campaign to control the rising number of mosquitoes and reduce infections.
Wijemuni told the media that the current virus has many changes compared to the strain found earlier in the country. Many people in Sri Lanka may not have been exposed to this variant before, leaving a large section of the population vulnerable to infection.
So far this year, 41,144 cases of dengue have been reported in Sri Lanka, while 24 deaths have occurred. Four children are also among those who died. To curb the rising cases, the government has launched Dengue Prevention Week from June 15 to 20.
According to Xinhua news agency, from June 15 to 17, the program will focus on public places across the island. After this, on June 18, it will go to the education sector, which will include schools, preschools, private schools and other institutions with children.
Public and private workplaces will be targeted on June 19, while June 20 has been kept for checking and cleaning homes and the surrounding environment.
Wijemuni said health officials were aware of the periodic surge in dengue cases and had made preparations for such a situation. He said the government’s response is to reduce the mosquito population and ensure that patients get timely health care before their condition worsens.
He also appealed to people to remove mosquito breeding sites and help in prevention efforts, stressing that government action alone will not be enough to stop the spread.
Officials have warned that failure to stop mosquito breeding sites could face penalties under Sri Lankan law. Legal action will be taken against those who help dengue mosquitoes to breed in dirty environments.
Police said that during the program special attention will be given to construction sites. Officials can seek an order from the court to stop work at those construction sites. Working at construction sites is a public health hazard.
The National Dengue Control Unit has appealed to the people to clean the places where mosquitoes breed around them. Besides, people have also been asked to get medical treatment immediately if they have fever.
–IANS
KK/AS