Dengue 'still thriving'

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has uncovered that around 40 percent of households in identified dengue high risk areas in the country still has dengue mosquito breeding grounds, Epidemiology Unit Director Dr Paba Palihawadana said.

According to Dr Palihawadana, the number of dengue cases reported this year is 6,161.

The number of deaths reported during the same period is 42.

The disease has seen a significant drop in February compared to January this year.

In January, there were 4,589 dengue cases and 35 deaths but in February only 1,572 cases have been reported so far and the number of reported deaths is seven.

Over 35,000 dengue cases and over 300 deaths were reported last year.

Meanwhile, Health Services Public Health Deputy Director General Dr Palitha Maheepala said the Ministry will buy BTI bacteria from Cuba as soon as Cabinet approval is received.

Earlier, the Cabinet granted the approval to spend Rs 200 million on aerial spray of BTI (Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis) bacteria to control dengue mosquito density.

The Government has allocated Rs 500 million this year to control dengue. This amount was Rs 50 million last year.

In addition, a Task Force is to be appointed to 65 MOH Divisions identified as high risk areas.

The Ministry appointed 40 assistant entomologists to assist the dengue control program and a special inter sectoral co-ordination committee has been appointed.