Locally manufactured BTI to be used from next week

The locally manufacture BTI bacteria will be used from next week to combat dengue mosquito larvae.

The Health Ministry has taken this decision on a directive issued by Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

This was disclosed at a special meeting on the dengue eradication program held at the Health Ministry chaired by Acting Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala, said a press release issued by Health Ministry Media Officer W. M. D. Wanninayake.

The release said the Ministry had finalised arrangements to use the Cuban BTI bacteria for dengue control.

The Cuban Government had informed the ministry that the ordered shipment of BTI bacteria had been despatched from Cuba on Monday.

Since it would take two weeks for the Cuban shipment to arrive in the country the Ministry decided to use the locally made BTI in the meantime as an emergency measure.