Dengue prevention programme 2005 in Colombo

The annual Mass Dengue Prevention Programme in the city of Colombo was concluded on Thursday the 7th of April to coincide with the World Health Day. Around 20,000 premises were inspected by the staff of the Public Health Department, which included Medical Officers, Public Health Inspector, nurses, Midwives, Health Education Officers, Health Instructors, pupil nurses and schoolchildren.

The programme was carried out on six days within two weeks-a day allocated for each administrative district in Colombo. On any day around 600 participants took part in the inspections. This year the programme concentrated on areas around schools and hospitals to prevent the children being attacked by the mosquitoes and to prevent transmission of the disease from hospitals. Leaflets on dengue and mosquito-free certification stickers were distributed to householders.

All high-risk areas were chemically treated. The programme was sponsored by SriLankan Airlines and other private sector organizations. Unlike in the past no NGO support was given this year probably as they are involved with post-tsunami work. However, this work is very important as it was conducted also to prevent the disease being transmitted to tsunami-hit areas, states Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Department, Colombo Municipal Council.

Percentage of Premises with a mosquito free environment - 5.3%

Percentage of premises with mosquito larvae - 5.5%

Percentage of premises with a potential for mosquito breeding: Having discarded containers, containers filled with water or having solid waste in the gardens - 94.5%

Total number of householders issued with a Notice under the mosquito-borne Diseases Regulations - 1166

Worst areas: Cinnamon Gardens, Kollupitiya, Havelock Town, Thimbirigasyaya, Narahenpita, Kirula, Keselwatte, Aluthkade, Grandpass, Wekanda, Maradana, Maligakanda, Mattakkuliya, Modera.

Although the inspections were successful, the results show a gloomy future for the city with the percentage of premises with a mosquito free environment down from 7% in 2004 to 5.3% in 2005. Lack of community interest and participation are some of the main reasons for dengue outbreaks where the mosquitoes breed in containers found in the surroundings of dwellings.

With rains already set in and the number of dengue patients increased to 130 already this year it is expected that another outbreak is possible unless the citizens decide to clean up their premises during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, he concludes.