The total number of dengue patients had reached 103,114 by yesterday (July 23, Sunday) while the dengue deaths had reached 297 as at last Thursday (20th). The current death rate is three percent.(3%), Health Ministry sources said.
According to the sources, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne had stated that he will implement the recommendations given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to cut down the current number of dengue patients by 50 percent within a period of four (4) weeks.
Health officials will be informed today (Monday) about the implementation of the WHO Action Plan. The WHO team will provide a two hour training programme for field assistants recruited to control dengue in the Western Province.
A three day intensive dengue control programme will be held in all schools and all state institutions from July 28 (next Friday).
“The Education Ministry has extended its support towards the programme,”the Minister had said. “At present, field assistants are being paid a monthly salary of Rs.22,500 and an additional Rs.500 will be paid to them for extra working days. The gutters of all buildings should be cleaned or removed to prevent dengue mosquito breeding,” Minister Sernaratne added.