Health officials ignore instructions:

Dengue highest in WP

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Around 72 percent of dengue cases and deaths have been reported from the Western Province. Colombo and Gampaha districts recorded 60 per cent of the total of 72 per cent and the rest (12 per cent)of the dengue cases and deaths were of visitors (residents of other Provinces) to the Western Province for various matters, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, there is a 29 percent decrease of dengue cases and deaths when compared to last year's figures.

The percentage could have been reduced further (50 percent) if health officials in Colombo and Gampaha districts followed the rules and regulations issued by the Health Ministry.

"But the health officials in the two districts ignored all instructions given by the Health Ministry in connection with controlling dengue.

"There are certain factors behind the high dengue prevalence and deaths reported from Colombo and Gampaha districts. One main factor is the high number of mosquito breeding sites created by the high population density of the two districts. The local authorities do not make arrangements to dispose garbage smoothly and swiftly.

"The authorities never follow instructions given to them by the Health Ministry in connection with controlling the disease. During this year nearly 25,000 dengue cases and nearly 175 dengue deaths had been reported from all parts of the country, the spokesman said.

"The Health Ministry will commence a house to house inspection campaign by next week in the Colombo and Gampaha districts to control the high number of dengue cases reported from the Western Province. The contribution of Police and Armed Forces, Youth Service Centre, PHIs etc are to be obtained for this purpose.

"The same strategy successfully and quickly controlled the sudden dengue outbreak reported from Eravur recently where a 450-member team carried out house to house inspections and awareness raising campaigns covering all households and institutions in the area.