New dengue strain raises infection risk as Sri Lanka launches prevention week
Colombo, June 15
A new strain of the dengue virus now circulating in Sri Lanka is increasing the risk of transmission, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni said, as authorities began a countrywide prevention program to control mosquito breeding and reduce infections on Monday.
Wijemuni told the media 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 June 15 to 20.
From June 15 to 17, 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, Xinhua news agency reported.
Public and private workplaces will be targeted on June 19, while June 20 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 had 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. Legal action will be taken against those who maintain unhygienic environments that facilitate dengue mosquito breeding.
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.
The National Dengue Control Unit urged the public to clean possible mosquito breeding sites in and around their surroundings. It also requested people to seek immediate medical treatment if they develop a fever.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good that they're focusing on schools and workplaces. But honestly, as a parent, I worry about children being most vulnerable. Four kids have already died this year! 😢 We need better cross-border health cooperation between India and Sri Lanka to track these new strains.
Interesting to see Sri Lanka taking legal action against unhygienic conditions. In India, we have similar laws but enforcement is weak. Maybe we should adopt their model of targeting construction sites specifically. That's where most mosquito breeding happens in our cities too.
The Deputy Minister's honesty about the new variant is refreshing. But I'm worried that 41,000 cases in just half a year is alarmingly high. With monsoon season approaching in South Asia, we all need to be vigilant. Clean your water coolers, flower pots, and any stagnant water around your home! 🦟
As someone who travels between India and Sri Lanka for work, this is worrying. The new strain might spread through travelers. Both countries need coordinated surveillance. Also, good to see police involvement - in India, we need stricter action against those who ignore breeding sites.
The emphasis on public participation is key. State alone can't do everything. In Indian cities, many people don't even know about proper dengue prevention. Sri Lanka's week-long program with designated days for homes, schools, and offices is a great model. India should implement something similar during monsoon.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.