October 29, Colombo (LNW): The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has expressed serious concern over the Health Ministry’s approach to dengue prevention, warning that Sri Lanka could experience a fresh surge in infections as heavy showers and changing monsoon conditions create a more favourable environment for mosquito breeding.
GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Chamil Wijesinghe said recent surveillance findings pointed to an increase in mosquito breeding activity, raising the possibility of a renewed outbreak in several parts of the country. The Eastern, Northern, North Central and Uva provinces were among the areas of particular concern.
He explained that entomological surveillance had detected a rise in Breteau indices, a measure used to assess the prevalence of mosquito breeding sites. The upward movement of these indicators suggested that both mosquito populations and the presence of mosquito larvae were increasing, potentially signalling a rise in dengue transmission in the coming weeks.
Dr Wijesinghe warned that the situation warranted early intervention rather than waiting for hospitals to report a growing number of patients. He said intermittent spells of heavy rain over the preceding two to three weeks, coupled with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon, could accelerate the formation of mosquito breeding grounds and increase the risk of infection.
The GMOA official accused the Health Ministry of failing to establish a comprehensive, long-term national strategy capable of tackling dengue on a continuous basis. He argued that the authorities remained largely dependent on reactive interventions, stepping up their response mainly when case numbers climbed or rainfall became more intense.
According to Dr Wijesinghe, there was little evidence of a sustained national initiative being led by the Health Ministry to address the problem at its source. He maintained that waiting until infections increased before launching control measures could leave communities exposed to avoidable health risks.
He also questioned the effectiveness of relying heavily on public announcements, appeals for environmental cleanliness and brief cleaning campaigns. While such measures could contribute to prevention, he said they would not be enough to eliminate dengue without a coordinated and ongoing programme.
Dr Wijesinghe stressed that dengue control should not be reduced to monitoring the number of infections and deaths or organising clean-up activities lasting only a day or two. Efforts to remove breeding sites, he said, needed to extend consistently across residential properties, gardens, office premises, drainage systems and surrounding public spaces.
He called for a comprehensive, nationwide programme that would operate throughout the year, rather than intensifying only when the disease began spreading more rapidly. Such an approach, he indicated, should prioritise the early identification of breeding sites and the continued implementation of preventive measures before outbreaks escalate.
The GMOA has also urged the public to take greater responsibility for preventing mosquito breeding in their immediate environments. Residents have been encouraged to inspect and maintain homes, gardens, workplaces, schools and religious premises regularly, ensuring that conditions conducive to mosquito multiplication are identified and addressed promptly.
Dr Wijesinghe emphasised that vigilance must be continuous, as new breeding sites can emerge even after an area has been cleaned. He urged people to monitor their surroundings regularly and take immediate action whenever potential breeding grounds are discovered.
He warned that protecting families and communities from dengue would require consistent public participation alongside a stronger, sustained response from the authorities. In his view, lasting progress would depend on moving beyond occasional clean-up operations towards a permanent culture of prevention and environmental responsibility.
