Wash tanks, containers with soap to destroy dengue breeding sites

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The public should clean water tanks and containers to destroy dengue mosquito breeding sites. Dengue mosquito eggs can survive on a dry wall even more than one year without water, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, the majority of the people empty water tanks and containers but never clean them with soap or a detergent.

When water tanks get dry, mosquito eggs stick to the inner wall and survive for longer periods until they receive water. Therefore washing inside containers with soap is essential," the spokesman said. The spokesman also said it is essential to keep dengue patients inside mosquito nets to prevent mosquitoes biting the patents and geting infected with the dengue virus "the same mosquito can transmit the dengue virus to a healthy person," he said.