More students affected by Dengue
Ridma Dissanayake
The number of students affected by dengue have increased compared toh
last year, a Health Ministry spokesman said.
Students between the five to 10 age group and 10 to 15 age group have
been mostly affected by dengue since the beginning of this year, he
added.
Health Ministry statistics reveal that nine percent out of the total
dengue cases reported last year, are students between the five to 10 age
group while 11 percent are between the 10 to 15 age group.
"The number of students affected by dengue during the past six months
increased to 25 percent. Eleven percent out of the total number of
dengue cases are students between the five to 10 age group while the
balance 14 percent are in the 10 to 15 age group," the spokesman said.
"Facts and statistics reveal that school students are among those
threatened by dengue. Schoolchildren have been mostly affected by dengue
for the past two to three years. This has increased this year," he said.
The Health Ministry identified roof gutters on school buildings as
the main reason for the spread of dengue among schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Maheepala
participated in discussions with Cuban Ambassador to Sri Lanka Indira
Lopez and explained about the current situation of dengue in the
country.
He had also said the Sri Lankan Health Ministry does not believe that
the BTI Bacteria is a 100 percent solution to the dengue mosquito
menace.
"It can be a supplementary method. Destroying mosquito breeding
places in the environment is the most effective way to eradicate the
mosquito menace," Dr. Maheepala said.
Lopez said the Cuban government agreed to provide 2,000 litres of BTI
Bacteria free of charge to schools islandwide. |
