A new strain of the dengue virus now circulating in the country is increasing the risk of transmission, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said, as authorities began a countrywide prevention programme to control mosquito breeding and reduce infections.
Wijemuni told the media yesterday that the current virus contains several changes compared with strains previously detected in the country.
He said many people in Sri Lanka may not have been exposed to this variant before, making a larger section of the population vulnerable to infection.
Sri Lanka has reported 41,144 dengue cases so far this year, while 24 deaths have been recorded.
Four children were among those who died.
To curb the rising number of cases, the government has launched a Special Dengue Prevention Week from yesterday to Saturday.
From yesterday to tomorrow, the programme will focus on public places across the island.
It will then move to the education sector on June 18, covering schools, preschools, private schools and other institutions attended by children.
Public and private workplaces will be targeted on Friday, while Saturday has been allocated for the inspection and cleaning of homes and surrounding environments.
Wijemuni said health authorities had anticipated a periodic increase in dengue cases and prepared for such a situation.
He said the government’s response is focused on reducing mosquito populations and ensuring patients receive timely medical care before their condition worsens.
He also urged the public to remove mosquito breeding sites and support prevention efforts, stressing that state action alone would not be sufficient to contain the spread.
Authorities warned that failure to prevent mosquito breeding sites is punishable under Sri Lankan law.
Police said construction sites will receive special attention during the programme.
Authorities may seek court orders to prohibit operations at construction sites maintained in a manner that threatens public health. — Xinhua
