MRI survey discovers:

Dengue mosquito breeding sites in WP state hospitals

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Latest entomological surveys carried out by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) have discovered that many state hospitals in the Western Province have dengue mosquito breeding sites and mosquito larvae. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena ordered hospital authorities to clean them within one week, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the hospital concerned will be re-inspected after one week and action taken against hospital authorities if they fail to clean mosquito breeding sites located inside their hospitals. Therefore stern action will be taken against hospital authorities if they keep mosquito breeding sites within their hospital premises.

Mosquito larvae found on the roof of one of the main State hospitals located in the suburbs of Colombo which provides, treatment serve for a leading NCD. Minister Sirisena ordered MRI to continue its entomological surveys and studies covering all pre-schools, children's parks, religious institutions and the other public places. Action will be taken against all mosquito breeders under the Mosquito Breeding Control Act number 12 of 2007.

The total number of dengue cases reported from all parts of the country by July 6th is 10,723. There were 77 deaths reported during the same time period. The most number of cases, 4046 had been reported from Colombo district. Gampaha district recorded 1363 dengue cases. The number of dengue cases reported from Kalutara district is 645.

A total of 525 dengue cases have been reported from all parts of the country during past six days. The number of dengue cases reported islandwide in June was 3401, he added.