Addressing the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of Covid-19 she said that last year around 150 persons had lost their lives due to the Dengue virus and so far this year 20 persons had lost their lives to Dengue.

However, Minister Wanniarachchi noted that on the directives of the President a special task force had been established to prevent the Dengue virus from spreading and they are successfully preventing the spread of the dengue virus in the country.

The minister appealed to the public to extend the same cooperation they did in combatting the spread of the Coronavirus and in the event anyone is suffering from high fever, they should immediately report to the government hospital closest to them, as high fever could also be a symptom of dengue.

She also appealed to the public to take precautions and keep their environment clean and free of stagnating water to prevent the breeding of the dengue mosquito. With the onset of the rainy season, there is a higher risk of the dengue virus raising its head again.