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Beware of Dengue sting, public told

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Colombo Municipal Council's Health Department warned the public to be on the alert after 15 dengue patients were found in the Municipality area during the last two weeks.

Municipal's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam told the Daily News yesterday that with the change in the weather pattern, mosquitoes have increased in areas in Colombo.

Wellawatte, Pamankada, Kirulapona, Kotahena, Bambalapitiya, Kollupitiya and Cinnamon Garden have seen an increase in mosquitoes.

Dr. Kariyawasam said out of the total cases, one had arrived from abroad while another had come from Jaffna.

"We suspect both had got dengue before arriving in Colombo," he said.

Dr. Kariyawasam urged the public to keep their environment and work places clean and destroy mosquitoe breeding places to prevent a possible outbreak.

Last year, 225 confirmed Dengue cases were reported from the Colombo Municipality area. "Given the increase in population in the city, this figure was much lower and in fact, there was a 15 per cent decrease of patients last year compared to 2001," added Dr. Kariyawasam.

Following last year's revelation that many leading schools in the City were breeding places for mosquitoes, the Municipality urged school authorities to be more concerned about ensuring a clean environment in their schools.

Several students from leading schools in Colombo reportedly died from Dengue last year. The Municipality last year followed up its anti-dengue campaign with a one week 'clean-up or pay-up' deadline on households which did not adhere to municipality health conditions.

The follow up action is implemented under the 'Green Star Home' programme where city houses which have a healthy physical environment outdoor will be issued the 'Green Star Home' label to be displayed on their walls or doors.

Legal action was taken against those who did not adhere to Municipal instruction, under the terms of Mosquito Breeding Disease Control Regulation.

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