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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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50% increase in dengue in Gampaha by Don Asoka Wijewardena Suspected dengue cases in the Gampaha district have shown nearly a 50 per cent increase in 2004. In 2003 only 897 cases were reported in the Gampaha district where three victims died. Since January 2004, 1372 suspected cases have been reported in Gampaha district with nine deaths being reported. Dr. Benelet Mallawarachchi, Gampaha District Epidemiologist told the Sunday Observer that the Gampaha district including Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Katana, Divulapitiya, Attanagalla, Mirigama, Dompe, Biyagama, Mahara, Kelaniya, Ragama, Wattala, Ja-ela and Negombo MoH areas had become dengue-stricken and added that an alarming number of suspected cases were reported last month. She said around 565 suspected dengue cases were reported last month, the highest number reported islandwide so far. Dr. Mallawarachchi noted that the suspected patients who were being treated in government hospitals were from urban areas where lack of proper management of waste disposal and ignorance of the public had aggravated the spread of dengue. She said that improper use of polythene bags, especially discarded materials such as coconut shells, cans and even cooking pots and pans had contributed to the alarming increase of dengue fever. According to the surveys conducted by 14 Medical Officers of Health in 14 areas in the Gampaha district, it has been found that most people in those areas have become indifferent to taking preventive measures in advance to eradicate the spread of dengue. When asked about new programmes introduced to eradicate dengue, Dr. Mallawarachchi pointed out that on a directive of Regional Director of Health, a Direct Surveillance System to monitor people contracting fever on a weekly basis and Entomological Surveillance to detect mosquito breeding grounds have been implemented. He emphasised that various factors such as lack of public participation, lack of medical and preventive awareness and improper waste disposal methods in the urban areas had caused a rapid increase in dengue fever. |
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