Ministry warns of vector borne disease outbreak:

Colombo and Gampaha have over 50 pc dengue breeding grounds

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

A study conducted on 2,581 places in Colombo and Gampaha districts by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) found 1,274 places as high risk dengue breeding grounds.

The study found 237 places with mosquito larvae while of the areas checked in Kaduwela, 65 percent were identified as high risk places.

A Health Ministry spokesman said the study revealed that 50 percent of the places examined had the possibility of dengue mosquitoe breeding and warned the public of a possible outbreak of vector borne diseases if the number was not reduced to 20 percent.

"State institutions and premises belonging to Provincial Councils and Local Government bodies had been cleaned while private properties and homes had many mosquito breeding places and high risk places. This is something detected during the study. High risk places are gutters, concrete slabs and water tanks on roof tops", he said. Mosquito breeders will be fined Rs 2,000 while legal action will also be taken against them.

Meanwhile, a Mosquito Control Week has been declared by the Health Ministry from June 20 to 26.