Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against 2,401 property owners who failed to comply with health regulations during the three-day National Dengue Mosquito Control Programme, which concluded on Wednesday.
The National Dengue Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media said a further 3,348 Red Notices containing legal directives were issued during the islandwide operation, which was conducted across 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in 14 districts.
According to the programme’s final report, officials inspected 97,871 premises over the three-day period. Of these, 25,626 premises (26.2%) were identified as potential dengue mosquito breeding sites, while dengue larvae were detected in 6,268 locations (6.4%).
The report revealed that factories and construction sites recorded the highest prevalence of mosquito larvae. Around 32.9% of inspected factory premises and 21.8% of construction sites were found to contain dengue mosquito larvae.
Among the 89,417 residential properties inspected, larvae were discovered in 5,250 homes.
Health authorities said immediate corrective measures were taken during inspections, with 21,025 premises cleaned and rectified on-site to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
The special programme targeted high-risk areas identified by Medical Officers of Health and the Director General of Health Services. Inspections covered residential properties, government and private institutions, schools, workplaces, religious sites, industrial premises, commercial establishments, vacant lands, and both public and privately owned abandoned properties.
The operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving the Tri-Forces, Police, government institutions, MOH offices, non-governmental organisations, community groups, Public Health Inspectors, Medical Officers of Health, and dengue control assistants.
Health authorities have urged the public to continue maintaining clean surroundings and eliminate stagnant water sources to help prevent the spread of dengue.