Dengue awareness campaign launched

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 October 2004, 13:37 GMT]
The Trincomalee District Educational Development Organization (EDO) Sunday launched the Dengue Awareness Campaign with the support of the local offices of UN agencies UNICEF, UNHCR, and UNDP, Sri Lanka Red Cross, Department of Health and about fifteen schools to control the spread of the disease in Trincomalee town and its suburbs. The inaugural event of the campaign was held in Trincomalee Mc Heyzer Stadium coinciding with the UN day, sources said.

About three hundred students and a group of volunteers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross and Health Department participated in the campaign visiting each house in the town spreading the message to take immediate steps to keep their houses and gardens clean by removing discarded tyres, empty coconut shells which are considered breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Ms Gabriella Elroy, UNICEF Trincomalee head, Ms Anne Hoseth, UNDP Field Co-ordinator, Ms Brita Helleland, UNHCR Field Officer, Mr.David Lamin, UNICEF Child Protection Officer, and Ms Sarah Lindwall, UNHCR Associate Field Officer participated in the event.

Dr.Ms.J.Prashanth, Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Trincomalee said more dengue cases are detected in Trincomalee town and one child had succumbed to the fever last month. Four new cases are warded in the Trincomalee general hospital. "Still the residents of the east port town are not giving serious thought to keeping their houses and gardens clean," said Dr Prashanth at the inaugural event.







Ms Gabriela Elroy on behalf of the UN agencies in Trincomalee spoke. Trincomalee has seen an increase of reported cases of dengue. "There is no treatment for dengue, but we can prevent and control the spread of the disease by making the people know how they can protect themselves," said Ms Elroy.

EDO Co-ordinator Mr.K.Thangarajah, retired Education Officer presided.

Trincomalee Deputy Zonal Director of Education Ms Thevigaranee Murugupillai also spoke.