Mosquito control efforts proceeding smoothly

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The National Mosquito Control Week is now going on countrywide successfully. It is discovered that the public is now aware of most of the common mosquito breeding sites such as yoghurt cups, tyres, etc but they are still not aware of some other mosquito breeding sources such as pieces of roofing sheets, plastic/polythene covers and plants that belong to bromeliads family, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman health authorities have taken legal action against many property owners in Ja-Ela, Wattala and Ragama areas after inspecting mosquito breeding sites located in those areas. Gampaha is the worst affected district by dengue after Colombo. Therefore special attention is paid to conduct raids in those areas with the assistance of 100 inspection teams. Western Province records the highest number of dengue patients and deaths.

A large number of Armed Forces and Police personnel assisted the inspection teams. The teams inspected households and all the other premises and buildings. Awareness was also raised among the public on possible mosquito breeding sources such as coconut shells used in rubber estates, trees such as bananas, pineapple, tempering leaf (rumpe), alocasia etc. Notices were given to some property owners who had mosquito breeding sites within their properties, he said.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena took part in a special mosquito control programme this morning at Kuppiyawatta Jayasekararamaya, Maradana. A large number of armed forces members will also take part in this, he added.

In 2010, 34,000 dengue patients and 246 deaths were reported in the country. In 2009 dengue claimed 346 lives and there were 35,000 dengue patients.

At present only 0.6 dengue patients die in Sri Lanka. The most affected Province is the Western Province.

Colombo and Gampaha districts records 50 per cent of the total number of dengue patients reported from all parts of the country.