More than 3,800 red notices had been issued to individuals who failed to eliminate potential dengue mosquito breeding grounds during the recently concluded National Mosquito Control Week, Dr. Prashila Samaraweera of the National Dengue Control Unit, said.
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday (08), Dr. Samaraweera revealed that 144,250 premises had been inspected, countrywide, as part of the campaign. Of them 35,495 locations had been identified as possible mosquito breeding sites, with 4,275 confirmed to contain larvae.
The inspections spanned a wide range of high-risk areas, including schools, state institutions, factories, construction sites, places of worship, and houses.
Notably, 400 schools were checked, and 226 were found to have conditions favourable for mosquito breeding. Meanwhile, out of the 131,789 houses inspected, 31,967 were identified as potential breeding sites. About 292 out of 955 state institutions were flagged as high-risk.
As part of enforcement efforts, 3,812 red notices were issued and legal action was taken against 982 individuals who had not eliminated mosquito breeding places.
Dr. Samaraweera said that there was an urgent need for sustained public participation, warning that 30,228 dengue cases had been reported so far this year, resulting in 16 deaths. The highest number of cases has been recorded in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces.
She said that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remained the most effective method of dengue prevention, and called on the public to remain vigilant.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
