The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has launched a new Public Health Pest Control and Vector-Borne Disease Response initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the National Dengue Control Unit to strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to dengue amid the ongoing nationwide outbreak.

The programme is funded through the U.S. Department of War’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) programme and brings together experts from the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the U.S. Army’s 18th Theater Medical Command with officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health.

According to the U.S. Embassy, the initiative will facilitate the sharing of American expertise in preventive medicine, disease surveillance, entomology and integrated vector management.

The programme, which is being conducted in Colombo, is intended to support Sri Lanka’s nationwide dengue response by complementing mosquito breeding site eradication efforts, public awareness campaigns and predictive prevention methods.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Jayne Howell said dengue continues to pose a serious challenge for families and communities across Sri Lanka.

“Through this partnership, the United States is sharing American expertise in preventive medicine, entomology, disease surveillance, and vector control. This will strengthen Sri Lanka’s response to today’s outbreak while building sustainable capabilities that will protect Sri Lankan communities for years to come,” Howell said.

The U.S. Embassy said the initiative forms part of the broader U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership aimed at enhancing security, resilience and preparedness through military-to-military cooperation, including exercises such as CARAT and Atlas Angel, as well as the training partnership with the Montana National Guard.

It added that the collaboration is intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ability to respond to shared challenges, including natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies and public health threats such as dengue, while contributing to a more secure Indo-Pacific region. (Newswire) 

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