COLOMBO — The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) under the Ministry of Health has launched a high-priority Special Dengue Control Week from September 14 to September 19, 2026, mobilizing health personnel across 62 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in seven provinces.

Surveillance data reveals that cumulative national dengue infections reached 97,848 cases in mid-September. While aggressive preventative interventions have successfully reduced daily infections from previous peaks of 1,200 down to 100–200 daily cases, health officials warned that impending monsoon rains present a critical risk of transmission spikes.

Specialized inter-agency inspection units comprising Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), armed forces personnel, and municipal sanitary workers are conducting house-to-house inspections across identified high-risk zones in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Kandy districts.

Acting Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara urged the public to eliminate all micro-water containers and clogged rain gutters, emphasizing that strict community source reduction remains the single most effective barrier against vector-borne outbreaks.