The launch of the One Week programme took place at the Colombo Municipal Council premises under the patronage of Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala yesterday.

The National Mosquito Control week is effective from yesterday until the 01st of April. The decision to declare a dengue prevention week has been made due to the alarming increase in the number of persons affected by Dengue fever in the first three months of this year.

The Health Ministry said identified mosquito breeding places with a risk will be cleaned during the week.

It pointed out that houses, schools, public and private sector establishment and places of religious worship will come under scrutiny. So far this year, 10,353 suspected dengue cases have been reported to the Epidemiology Unit from all over the island. 23 of them succumbed to the disease. The National Mosquito Control Week has been launched, taking this situation into consideration.