Dengue Control Week aims to combat killer disease A Dengue Control Week will be implemented throughout the country from April 28 to May 3 jointly by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry and the National Dengue Control Unit. A series of programmes would be undertaken throughout this week to combat dengue and awareness programmes to educate the public especially schoolchildren on measures to prevent the spread of the disease would be a highlight among them, Co-ordinator National Dengue Control Programme Dr. Lakshmi de Silva told a press conference at the Colombo Health Education Bureau on Monday. Among other programmes, priority would be given to controlling mosquito density, inducing the community to destroy mosquito breeding and cleaning workplaces and public places with the participation of the community, awareness programmes for schoolchildren and the public would be conducted by the respective local government institutions. There was a danger of a high incidence of dengue this year and since there was a difficulty in controlling epidemic situations after monsoon rains it was more prudent to launch programmes to combat dengue before monsoons set in, said Dr. Devika Mendis of the Epidemiological Unit. Nearly 2,359 dengue patients and eight deaths were reported upto April this year. This is a 30 per cent increase in the number of patients compared to last year, it was revealed at this conference. Most patients were from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Kurunegala districts. Fifty MOH divisions in 12 districts which have a high propensity for the spread of the disease have been already identified for action. The National Dengue Control Unit has requested the community to assist the dengue control endeavour by cleaning up their houses, compounds, workplaces and schools every week since concerted joint action would help combat the killer disease.