Cuban doctors submit dengue report

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Cuban epidemiologists, Chief Epidemiologist Dr.Aramis Martines and Assistant Epidemiologist, Dr. Yelina Abang submitted their report on Dengue fever in Sri Lanka to the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said.

Deputy Director General Health Services Dr.Palitha Maheepala said the report was handed over to Ministry Secretary Dr.Athula Kahandaliyanage who will hand over the report to Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva once he returns to Sri Lanka.

Arrangements will be made to study the report and take necessary action.

The Cuban specialists conducted the study covering Hambantota, Kandy and Colombo districts and several other areas. They examined the possibility of using BTI bacteria in Sri Lanka to control breeding of dengue mosquitoes.

The dengue epidemic reached its peak during the 25th week. During the week, 2,096 dengue cases and 19 deaths were reported.

After the 25th week, the epidemic decreased rapidly due to intense dengue control programs carried out by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry with the assistance of Civil Defence Committees and other contributors.