Dengue on the rise

29 May 2011 09:45 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Olindhi Jayasundere

The Colombo Municipal Council said today that during this month alone there have been 222 reported incidents of dengue and one reported death. “There are about 10 to 15 patients being admitted to a hospital each day due to the vast spread of the disease,” CMC Chief Medical Officer, Pradeep Kariyawasam said

He added that there have been 905 cases of dengue and eight deaths due to the illness reported since January this year and that the numbers are further on the rise due to the heavy rain experienced in some areas.

He said dengue mosquitoes multiply in water collected in solid waste material, heaps of leaves, building material and blocked drains and gutters. He said when water falls and gets collected in such waste material, mosquitoes multiply increasing a possible threat of the dengue disease. “In the past few weeks threat of the disease is even more,” he said.

He said that Maligawatta, Grandpass, Wanathamulla, Kotahena, Aluthkade, Narahenpita, Borella, Thimbirigasyaya, Kirulapanna, Pamankada were some of the most dengue affected areas in Colombo. “We had informed the public through loud speaker systems and other means to clear out their garbage but they have not responded therefore CMC Field Officers will be visiting these areas to control the epidemic,” he said.

He said the CMC has already begun spraying BTI in Colombo East where some 550 houses are sprayed each day. “The BTI bacteria inactivates the gut of the of mosquito larvae and therefore is very effective,” he said.

Meanwhile the Health Ministry said that if a person has the flu for more than two days they should immediately get treatment at hospital or family doctor. The Ministry also advised the public to clean up their homes and surrounding areas at least for two hours a week. The Ministry said that it would carry out an awareness program and inspection in selected areas in Colombo in August.

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Comments - 6

backstreet boys Monday, 30 May 2011 03:51 AM

lets cleanup the mess beyond our parapet walls for their lies clogged drains and garbage mounts the acts of ignorance, that breeds death

Gregory Fernando Sunday, 29 May 2011 10:59 AM

Dear Dr Kariyawasam,

I am appalled to see the state of CMC drains in Colombo; I visited Colombo during the Vesak , and works for a City Council in New South Wales.Most of the drains in Colombo 15 are disgusting to say the least.
Dr Kariyawasam, for God's Sake please clean them , or else a major Dengue outbreak is not far.

Note: Please visit and see the status of the area at the back of the Kotahena Super Market,

Bird Eye Sunday, 29 May 2011 11:02 AM

Does anybody listen or care?

uglytruth Sunday, 29 May 2011 11:31 AM

Isn't there a way to connect this with 02nd anniwesary of Victory..?

HH Sunday, 29 May 2011 12:20 PM

Its show time for Silva.

citizen Sunday, 29 May 2011 05:42 PM

What happned to BTI? I know it does not work on late larval stages and pupae.

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Dengue on the rise

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