The Secretary to the Ministry of Health of the Western Provincial Council, L. A. Kalukapuarachchi, states that a task force has been appointed to control the spread of dengue and chikungunya diseases that are currently spreading.
He says that more than 50 percent of the dengue patients reported in the island are from the Western Province.
The Colombo Municipal Council also says that 17,000 dengue patients have been reported so far this year.
Of that number, 1,800 have been reported from the Colombo Municipal Council area, said its Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Geethika Ratnawardena.
Dr. Geethika Ratnawardena further points out that 70,000 houses with dengue risk have been inspected and legal action has been taken against 471 houses.