The United States Embassy has launched a disease response program in collaboration with Sri Lanka's Health Ministry to combat the country's ongoing dengue outbreak through technical expertise and integrated vector management strategies.
Sri Lanka is receiving support from the United States to tackle a widespread dengue outbreak affecting communities across the nation. The US Embassy, working alongside the Health Ministry and the National Dengue Control Unit, has established a Public Health Pest Control and Vector-Borne Disease Response program designed to enhance the country's capacity to prevent, detect, and manage dengue cases.
The initiative draws funding from the US Department of War's Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid program and involves collaboration between specialists from US Army Pacific and the 18th Theatre Medical Command with counterparts from Sri Lanka's health authorities. The program focuses on transferring American knowledge in disease prevention, surveillance systems, entomology, and integrated vector management approaches. Activities have been conducted in Colombo to support the broader national response effort.
According to US Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Jayne Howell, the partnership aims to strengthen both immediate outbreak response and long-term institutional capacity. The initiative complements existing efforts including mosquito breeding site elimination campaigns and public awareness drives. Beyond dengue, the collaboration reflects broader US-Sri Lanka security cooperation through military partnerships including joint exercises such as CARAT and Atlas Angel, as well as training arrangements with the Montana National Guard.
