Although the number of dengue mosquitoes breeding in homes has decreased somewhat, the number of mosquito larvae breeding in schools, government institutions, religious places and construction sites is increasing, said Sakunthala Janaki, an entomologist at the National Dengue Control Unit. She made this statement while participating in a media briefing held at the Health Education Bureau.
Commenting further, she said that the larval habitat index value in the year 2026 has changed. In May and June, the larval habitat index value of the Aegypti mosquito was more than 2, but now it has decreased to 1.3, she said. In addition, she pointed out that the high density of the Albopictus mosquito, which was present in May and June, has now decreased.
She further stated that, referring to the ongoing dengue control activities,
”From January to the 3rd week of August, we inspected 58,683 premises. Out of these, dengue mosquito larvae were found in 4,919 premises. That is 8.4% as a percentage. 1,416 schools were inspected. Out of these, mosquito larvae were found in 555 schools (13.9%).
2,298 institutions were inspected. Out of these, mosquito larvae were found in 579 (12.5%). 36,960 houses were inspected. Out of these, mosquito larvae were found in 3,234 houses. (8.5%). Out of 1,404 places inspected, 364 were found to have mosquito larvae (24.4%).
Although the percentage of mosquito breeding in houses has decreased, we need to be very careful about schools, government institutions, religious places and construction sites. More mosquito larvae are found in those places.
“6.3% of the houses inspected in July were positive. In August, it has decreased slightly to 6.2%.
We increased school inspections before the Ordinary Level examination. Compared to July, the mosquito larvae breeding in schools shows a slight decrease in August.
There is also a slight decrease in government institutions, which was 11.3% in July, to 10.5% by August. If we look at the total premises, out of 51,209 premises inspected in July, the percentage of larvae was 6.6%. “Out of 32,952 premises inspected up to the 3rd week of August, mosquito larvae were found in only 2,045 premises (6.2%).”
Most of the mosquitoes are breeding in discarded items. Second, in containers that collect water and third, in containers that have been temporarily removed. Temporary items are containers that are not thrown away and are used later, and in which rainwater collects. If there is water for about a week, mosquitoes breed in them,” she said.
She pointed out that while public awareness and labor have reduced the number of mosquitoes in discarded items by up to 20%, and as a result, the number of mosquitoes in temporary items has decreased by up to 12%, she also pointed out that the number of mosquitoes in decorative items and covered items in gardens has increased.