Sri Lanka expands anti-dengue drive as deaths mount

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is intensifying a military-backed drive to contain the spread of mosquito-borne dengue fever, a senior official said on Wednesday (Jul 15), as the death toll climbed to 49 since the start of the year.The South Asian island nation deployed the military last month to to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites.Beginning Thursday, medical staff and security forces involved in the effort will be doubled, focusing on the capital Colombo and two neighbouring districts, which are the worst-affected areas, said Kapila Kannangara, head of the National Dengue Control Unit.Dengue causes high fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, bleeding that can lead to death. "We are launching a new drive from tomorrow to expand into more areas with