Nearly 35% of land in Ratnapura mosquito breeding grounds

COLOMBO: An abundance of mosquito breeding grounds in nearly 35 per cent of the land mass in the Ratnapura district had been the root cause for the spread of the Chikungunya epidemic in the region in recent times, investigations have revealed.

Urgent action taken by health authorities has helped to contain the Chikungunya virus which spread in epidemic proportions in the Ratnapura District, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry yesterday.

These included the increase in the number of health clinics and concerted action by the Ministry, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and all local councils to create public awareness and eradicate mosquito breeding grounds in the district, the release said.

A communique issued by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry disclosing this finding said human activities had greatly contributed to this situation.

Investigations made by a group of 60 microbiologists despatched to the Ratnapura district who fanned out to Kuruwita, Kahawatta, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Nivitigala, Kiriella and Godakawela areas revealed in their surveys abandoned gem pits, unsystematic garbage disposal had led to the breeding of mosquitoes in addition to the uncleared breeding places in most homegardens.

Chikungunya rector mosquitoes were found in abundance in most of these mosquito breeding places according to their surveys.

The Ministry release said however the epidemic seemed to be now abating. Whereas 2100 Chikungunya patients were recorded in April. The number of new patients recorded in May was 1400. This further decreased to 400 in late May.

These included public awareness programmes, and legal action against people disregarding instructions to destroy breeding grounds in their premises. So far action has been taken against 30 persons who disregarded such instructions.