July 01, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities have sounded the alarm as preliminary findings from a nationwide inspection indicate that roughly 20 per cent of properties examined are conducive to mosquito breeding.
The discovery was made during intensified inspections launched in tandem with National Mosquito Control Week, which officially began yesterday (30) and will continue through July 05.
Dr Prasheela Samaraweera, a Community Medical Specialist with the National Dengue Control Unit, revealed that the situation is more serious than initially anticipated, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where stagnant water and improper waste disposal have become common.
The inspections, which span 16 high-risk districts, are being carried out by 1,100 field teams tasked with identifying breeding hotspots and raising public awareness.
The campaign comes amid a sharp increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, most notably dengue and chikungunya, which have surged in the wake of persistent rainfall across much of the island.
This wet spell has created ideal conditions for mosquito larvae to thrive, especially in water-collecting containers, discarded plastic items, gutters, and overgrown gardens.
So far this year, 28,752 confirmed cases of dengue have been recorded, with the Western Province continuing to report the highest incidence. Sixteen deaths linked to the disease have also been reported, underscoring the seriousness of the current outbreak.
Officials are urging the public to take immediate action by eliminating potential breeding grounds in and around their homes. Regular checks, proper disposal of household waste, and maintaining clean water storage practices are being stressed as key steps in controlling the spread.
