Schools Identified as Major Dengue Breeding Grounds, Says Health Minister

Schools have emerged as the largest source of dengue mosquito breeding sites identified during recent inspections carried out by public health authorities, according to Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday (June 16), the Minister revealed that 41% of the locations inspected within the school system were found to contain dengue mosquito breeding sites, making schools the highest-risk category among all inspected locations.

He further noted that religious institutions accounted for 28% of identified breeding grounds, while industrial premises represented 26% of the sites where dengue-carrying mosquitoes were found to be breeding.

Dr. Jayatissa stated that public health inspectors are closely monitoring areas with elevated mosquito breeding rates and are actively encouraging communities to participate in cleanup and prevention efforts.

“Public health inspectors are continuously monitoring these locations and encouraging the public to ensure that such places are properly cleaned and maintained,” he said.

The Health Minister also warned that the dengue situation has become increasingly serious in 14 districts across the country. The affected areas include districts in the Western and Southern Provinces, Kandy and Matale in the Central Province, Badulla, Batticaloa, both districts of the North Western Province, and both districts in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

He stressed that while cleaning campaigns are ongoing, long-term success in controlling dengue can only be achieved through collective action.

“This issue has become serious in 14 districts across the country. Cleaning programmes are continuing, but this effort will only be successful if we intervene collectively as a country,” he said.

Health authorities continue to urge schools, institutions, businesses, and households to eliminate stagnant water sources and maintain clean surroundings to prevent the spread of dengue during the ongoing high-risk period.