Dengue: sharp rise in Colombo city

Disna MUDALIGE

The number of dengue patients in the Colombo city has shown a sharp increase compared to last year, according to records of the Colombo Municipal Council, Public Health Department Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam said.

Addressing a press conference at the Town Hall yesterday he said that 195 dengue cases have been reported so far during this month.

He observed that the total number of dengue cases in May last year was less than 150.

He also said that 885 patients were hospitalized due to Dengue from the beginning of this year. About 173 dengue patents were reported in Colombo during the last month. He noted that even though the streets of the city were regularly cleaned and mosquito breeding places were destroyed by the city health officials, dengue breeding spots were witnessed in most premises.

This was revealed by the house to house inspections carried out by the Municipal Council. He said that this has contributed to increase the mosquito density within the city.

Most of the patients were reported in areas such as Borella, Aluthkade, Kotahena, Bloemendhal, Kirulapone and Thimbirigasyaya.

The Municipal Council has organized a special clean up campaign in Borella and Colombo Central under the directives of the Special Commissioner Omar Kamil during the coming weekend.

So the public is requested to clean their home gardens and the Municipal Council authorities will collect the unwanted items from houses during this weekend.

Dr Kariyawasam also requested the government institutions and schools to clean their premises. "Dengue mosquito can fly a distance of 150 yards. Therefore the public should be careful about the mosquito breeding grounds of their neighborhood too," he observed.