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| Sunday, 9 May 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Small containers, main cause for dengue outbreak by Carol Aloysius Small containers such as salmon tins, condensed tins, jam bottles, yoghurt cups, have been cited as the main culprits for the current outbreak of dengue in various parts of Colombo city. "You don't see many cases of dengue outside Colombo in places like Avissawella or Padukka because the residents do not use so many artificial small containers. The highest incidence of dengue is in Colombo city and its suburbs - Maharagama, Nugegoda, Piliyandala, Kelaniya, Ja-Ela and Wattala. This is mainly due to the more sophisticated life style of the people who eat canned foods, bottled foods and 'instant' foods." Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Peiris told the Sunday Observer. He emphasised the importance of an immediate reduction in the use of these small containers in view of a possible outbreak of a dengue epidemic. "No amount of fogging or spraying of insecticides will reduce the mosquito population unless the public using these small unperishable containers find a safe and effective way of disposing them. At present they are thrown into their backyards or else end up in garbage dumping sites where they continue to attract the dengue carrying vector," Dr. Peiris said. He pointed out the Dengue was a vector borne disease which breeds in small containers which collect small quantities of water. The Epidemiologist also added that regifoam and plastic boxes, containing food etc had also contributed towards the dengue outbreak. Sili sili bags which are also bio-degradable. Current statistics reveal that in April this year the number of dengue patients were as follows: Colombo 51, Gampaha 32, Kalutara - 20, and Kandy 42. Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, Epidemiologist said that this year's figures of dengue patients stood at: 528 in Colombo, 475 in Gampaha, 357 in Kandy, 113 in Kurunegala and 113 in Kalmunai. "Dengue usually comes in 2 peaks following the onset of the monsoons. They usually occur in mid-year June/July and at the end of the year." He said that to prevent a dengue epidemic, the Epidemiology unit was currently conducting awareness programmes and fogging operations in the affected areas. "We need to identify cases of dengue early, so that we can bring in preventive measures in time. We have asked all the 260 MoH divisions to report to us any fresh outbreak of dengue," he said. The Health Ministry has urged the co-operation of the public to clear all public places as well as their homes of all receptacles such as tins, bottles, tyres and coconut shells to prevent the dengue carrying mosquito from breeding. |
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