Dengue breeding grounds:

Survey in Colombo schools

Nadira Gunatilleke

Dengue deaths on the rise

Dengue has claimed over 45 lives up to date, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

“Over 9,700 dengue patients and 45 deaths have been reported from all parts of the country. Over 3,000 dengue patients are reported every month and over 15 deaths were reported in January, February and March,” he said.

“Over 56 percent of dengue patients had been reported from the Western Province. Colombo is the most affected district,” the spokesman said.

He said a pilot project is in progress in the Gampaha district, one of the most affected districts, to implement effective dengue mosquito breeding control activities.

“A chart with dengue mosquito breeding sites, the date of removal etc is issued to households. It should be maintained by house owners. The chart should be checked and signed by PHIs and Grama Seva Niladharies. Health authorities will also check the chart. The project will be extended to several other districts soon,” he added.

Twelve special teams of entomologists will conduct surveys in schools in Colombo this week to ensure that the schools are free of dengue mosquito breeding sites, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The entomologists were appointed by the Health Ministry on the direction of Minister Maithripala Sirisena, the spokesman said. He said the survey by the entomologists has revealed that Colombo schools are full of dengue mosquito breeding sites after the New Year vacation. “The ministry has informed school authorities to clean the school premises. School Principals should coordinate cleaning activities.

Action will be taken against Principals who fail to clean dengue mosquito breeding sites in their schools,” the spokesman said.