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Colombo launches campaign to fight dengue fever
by Melani Manel Perera
Over the past six months 7,948 cases of infection and 69 deaths registered in Sri Lanka. Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Hambatota, Galle, Puttalam, Batticaloam, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Trincomalee and Matara districts most affected.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka, a week of prevention against dengue fever in an attempt to eradicate any outbreak of infection and raise awareness was launched today. All departments of the Medical Officers of Health (MOH) of the country will participate in the campaign. Each division will be distributed in seven areas, where health officials will examine the cleanliness of buildings.
More than 400 environmental units will provide assistance and prevention programs to people, exploiting the support of the police. Organisers are hoping for a broad response from the public, the Minister of Health Miathripala Sirisena said: "Everyone shall have the duty to devote at least one day a week to cleaning their homes, to fight the spread of dengue."
The districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Hambatota, Galle, Puttalam, Batticaloam, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Trincomalee and Matara are the most affected. According to Health Ministry data, 75% of schools in the western province were identified as centres of infection.
The dengue virus is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito that thrives in marshy and unhealthy areas. Haemorrhagic fever, the most violent form of the virus is often fatal. Over the past six months, there have been 7,948 cases of infection and 69 deaths.