A national guideline on dengue surveillance, prevention and clinical management for all universities in Sri Lanka was launched on Monday (July 20), aimed at strengthening efforts to control the spread of the disease.
The standardised guidelines focus on the early detection of dengue, proper management of patients, improved disease surveillance and effective measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. The initiative also seeks to engage the university community in the national dengue prevention campaign.
The programme was jointly developed by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Health, the University Grants Commission, the World Health Organization and the National Dengue Control Unit, with expert support from the University of Colombo.
Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne said guidelines had already been issued for schools and pirivena institutions on dengue prevention and the action required when an infection is detected. He warned that universities in urban locations and areas surrounding student hostels were at greater risk of dengue outbreaks occurring in clusters, given their population density.
The launch comes as Sri Lanka battles a sharp rise in dengue infections, with the National Dengue Control Unit reporting more than 76,000 cases and over 50 deaths so far this year. Health officials have repeatedly urged the public to destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds, particularly during the current inter-monsoon period.
