April declared dengue risk month

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit has declared April as the high risk month for the dengue epidemic. During the past the highest number of dengue patients and dengue deaths were reported in April. Health authorities will take legal action against dengue mosquito breeders, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has issued instructions to health authorities to re-inspect the 61,780 possible dengue mosquito breeding places.

These places wereidentified during the recent National Dengue Control Week and take legal action against persons who did not follow orders and clean up their premises.

The Epidemiology Unit has issued red alerts for 18 MOH areas in 10 districts which are in the high risk category. These areas are the Colombo MC, Biyagama, Minuwangoda, Wattala, Godakawela, Kurunegala, Ridigama, Horana, Panadura, Tissamaharama, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Chenkaladi, Welwali, Oddamawadi, Koralepattu, Uppuweli, Mawanella, he said.

Cleaning mosquito breeding sites is very important. The Ministry has already issued relevant circulars to health officials at regional and provincial level in this regard.

The current rain pattern (warmdays and rainy nights) has created an ideal atmosphere for dengue mosquitoe breeding, he added.