Western Province a 'stinger's paradise'

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Western Province has proved a haven for mosquito borne diseases from where it has spread to the whole country, health authorities claim.

The WP accounted for the highest number of dengue cases in 2005, a report compiled by the National Dengue Prevention Programme reveals. "Besides, cases detected from other provinces too have lived or are living in the Western province," a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News adding that this clearly indicates that the Western province is the source for the spread of the disease around the country.

According to the report, 3453 dengue cases have been reported from Western province - 1865 from Colombo district, 1215 from Gampaha and 373 from Kalutara.

"These are the highest number of patients reported district-wise," spokesman added. The report also states that 586 Dengue cases were detected from Kandy, Ratnapura (142), Kurunegala (144), Anuradhapura (133), Puttalam (118) and Matara (167).

The alarming increase of dengue patients has been attributed mainly to the lack of a proper system to handle garbage and solid waste in the Western Province.

"There is no proper system to manage garbage and this has led to the increase of mosquitoes in the area."

He also noted that patients reported from other provinces are those who had lived or been employed in the Western province. Earlier, Heathcare and Nutrition Ministry warned that dengue fever could raise its ugly head again and urged the public to be vigilant about keeping their environment clean.