Dengue highest in Colombo

Ridma Dissanayake

Health Ministry officials who conducted entomological surveys in Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara on the expansion of dengue mosquito breeding sites, found that 56 percent out of the total of dengue cases in Sri Lanka have been reported from Colombo, a ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said according to entomological surveys conducted by the Health Ministry during the last month, 65 percent out of the total of mosquito breeding places are receptacles such as plastic cans, yoghurt cups, plastic gallons and coconut shells.

Twenty six percent of the mosquito breeding places are roof gutters and the other nine percent are used tires.

Most vehicle tyres and receptacles are industrial wastage which can be easily removed and cleaned the environment.

Some do not take measures to clear their surroundings if they have enough resources and ability. That has become a huge problem for dengue eradication, the spokesman said.

“The Health Ministry along with the Defence and Urban Development Ministry and Colombo Municipal Council launched dengue eradication programmes and search operations islandwide. Our officers attached to the Dengue Eradication Programme who are deployed in investigation activities have to face threats from several persons and it has become a huge problem for them,” the spokesman said.

“They have informed this to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena who ordered legal action against those obstructing dengue eradication programmes.

The minister also ordered legal action under the Mosquito Eradication Act of Prevention of Public Oppression and Mismanagement,” he said.