Cabinet memorandum soon :

Cuban method to control dengue

Nadira Gunatilleke

A Cabinet memorandum will soon be submitted to implement the recommendations included in the report submitted by two Cuban epidemiologists Dr. Aramis Martinez and Dr. Ms Yelina who arrived in Sri Lanka on July 21 to study the spread of the dengue epidemic.

Priority will be given to use locally invented mosquito controlling systems, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

Addressing a special press briefing at the Ministry yesterday Minister De Silva said in the report they have mentioned the strategies used by the Cuban Government to control a dengue epidemic and recommended measures such as implementing `spot fines', aerial spray of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) and using BTI for water tanks and other water containers at homes and strengthening vector surveillance.

They have also estimated the cost of using BTI for one premises as Rs.350/- per month. It cost US $ 3.15 for aerial spray of BTI for selected areas covering around 197,672 homes.

According to Minister De Silva the report also pointed out the weaknesses in the dengue control program in Sri Lanka.

The report says that garbage clearance system in Sri Lanka is not methodical.

The duration of clearing garbage is between 1 and 30 days which sometimes accelerated mosquito breeding. There is a possibility of breeding mosquitoes in domestic wells.

Sri Lanka's community cleaning campaign is not 100 percent successful. More awareness is necessary and educations needed for the community.

The report states that there are no gutters in Cuba but in Sri Lanka there are gutters in majority of the buildings where mosquitoes breed. Therefore arrangements will be made to educate architects on building future homes and other buildings without gutters. The main objective is to promote health friendly architecture in Sri Lanka, the Minister said..

Over 24000 dengue cases have been reported during the past eight months. The number of deaths is 240. But now dengue epidemic is under full control. But it can increase with the monsoon rains.

Without public support even aerial spray of BTI will not be able to control the dengue epidemic in Sri Lanka. A new bacteria will be introduced from next year to control Leptospirosis, the Minister added.