Thai team to conduct countrywide study on dengue

Nadira Gunatilleke

A special team of health professionals from Thailand led by Prof. (Ms.) Siri Pen is now in Sri Lanka to investigate the factors which led dengue to assume epidemic proportions in Sri Lanka this year causing a large number of deaths. Prof. Pen is the former President of the WHO Epidemiology Committee, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said that the team will conduct a countrywide study to find out why dengue became an epidemic killing over 435 persons so far.

The team will be focused on three districts, Colombo, Kandy and Galle. They will hold discussions and seminars for specialist doctors from main hospitals in Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Galle, Hambantota and Matara.

Around 50 specialist doctors will take part in each program. The National Dengue Week declared by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry is now in progress and it will conclude on September 27. The Ministry will carry out countrywide awareness programs and cleaning campaigns. The program will commence from Pettah Bus Stand today (22nd) at 10.00 am with the pasting stickers on buses. Around 500 members from Civil Defence Committees and 300 police officers will take part in this program.