Cuban and local BTI set for dengue campaign

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The Health Ministry is now ready to launch its dengue control campaign with renewed vigour with the arrival of the 10,000 litres of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) ordered from Cuba and the use of locally made BTI at a pilot project in Peliyagoda, a Health Ministry Spokesman told the Sunday Observer.

The locally made BTI and the Cuban made BTI is expected to be distributed in the country for mosquito control when the dengue related deaths and dengue cases were reduced drastically with zero deaths reported this week.

According to Health Ministry officials the much awaited 10,000 litres of Cuban made BTI that arrived at the Colombo Port would probably be cleared on Monday.

The Health Ministry ordered 10,000 litres of Cuban made BTI in June this year at a cost of Rs. 35 million after negotiating with the Cuban authorities through the Cuban Embassy officials.

According to Dr. Sarath Deniyage, Director of the Malaria and Vector Control Disease, samples will be tested for compatibility and for concentration by sending samples to the Medical Research Institute and the Industrial Technology Institute before it is cleared from the Port.

He said a pilot project will be carried out in Kandy Municipal Council area and MOH areas in Akurana and Gampola where a large number of dengue related deaths and cases were reported at the initial stages.

Dr. Deniyage said the Malaria Control officers will meet on Monday to discuss the report on the use of locally made BTI which was used at a site in Peliyagoda. He said the initial reports indicated that the use of locally made BTI was successful at the pilot project as larvae are completely destroyed by the bacteria.

The report on the use of the locally made BTI will be handed over to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena on Monday.

"The Ministry will decide on distribution of the locally made BTI among the public after discussing the report", he added.

Dr. Deniyage said that there is big price difference between the locally made BTI and the Cuban made one as one litre of locally made BTI costs only Rs. 2,200 against the Rs. 8,000 in the purchase of Cuban made BTI.