Rs 30,000 fine on mosquito 'breeders'

Over 200 dengue patients in Kalutara:

Raja Waidyasekera and K.A. Perera

Fines totally Rs. 30,000 were imposed on three persons found guilty of having mosquito breeding places in their domestic compounds by the Tangalle Magistrate Bandula Himburegama.

The officials of the Tangalle MoH office nabbed the suspects during an inspection tour in Tangalle town and produced the suspects in Court. Meanwhile, 249 dengue patients have been identified in Kalutara district while four persons have died. This was revealed at a conference held at the Kalutara Secretariat by District Secretary S. Hapuarachchi.

He said he has implemented a special program through Divisional Secretaries to eliminate places where mosquitoes breed. Dengue affected persons were detected in Matugama, Horana, Bandaragama, Panadura and Madurawala Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Kalutara District.

Epidemiologist Dr. Renuka Hawawasam said dengue mosquitoes breed in clean water. "Unlike other mosquitoes the dengue mosquito bites during day time," Dr. Hawawasam said.

A health education program through the media has been launched to enlighten the masses about the hazard of environmental pollution and methods to control dengue, he said.

It was also revealed that 61 persons affected by dengue fever have been identified in Madurawala Medical Officer's division.