Possible dengue outbreak identified

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry warns the public of a possible dengue outbreak in selected areas which have been identified through a entomological survey conducted by the Department of Entomology of the Medical Research Institute (MRI), a Health Ministry spokesperson said.

The survey, conducted using international standards, found places with over 15.5 percent of dengue mosquito larvae density. The percentage should be less than two percent according to international standards.

The survey was conducted covering Piliyandala, Dehiwala, Nugegoda, Moratuwa, Kaduwela, Kelaniya, Ja-ela, Ragama, Wattala, Mirigama, Mahara and Maharagama areas. The surveyors inspected 2,215 places and found 1,249 places with mosquito breeding sites. The number of places with dengue mosquito larvae was 165, the spokesperson said.

"The public needs to be vigilant on dengue mosquito breeding sites especially during this rainy season. The environment and buildings should be kept free of mosquito breeding sites. Destroying such sites is the practical way of preventing a dengue outbreak," he added.