A special meeting to review urgent measures to control the rapidly spreading dengue outbreak across the country was held today (15) at the Ministry of Health premises under the chairmanship of Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

The discussion focused on the current response measures, preparedness of the hospital system, progress of mosquito control field operations and challenges faced in containing the spread of the disease.

The Health Minister stressed the need for coordinated action involving local government authorities, security forces, other state institutions and community organisations as part of the national dengue prevention programme.

He also directed officials to convene a separate high-level meeting with district secretaries from 14 high-risk districts, coordinated through the Ministry of Public Administration. The districts identified include Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale, Batticaloa and Badulla.

The meeting also reviewed plans for the National Dengue Prevention Week, which is being implemented from today to 20, and discussed strategies for strengthening field-level operations.

Officials were instructed to develop a revised national approach based on successful international models to support long-term dengue control and eradication efforts.

It was also decided to launch a rapid public awareness media campaign on dengue prevention and available treatment services.

Health Minister Jayatissa emphasized that dengue control activities should be treated as a priority emergency response and implemented continuously and effectively, with clear allocation of responsibilities to relevant agencies.