Monsoons increase dengue threat

by Carol Aloysius

Although the number of dengue cases reported by the Epidemiology Unit have now dwindled to a new low compared to the numbers in January this year, the danger of another dengue epidemic remains until the inter monsoonal rains cease, Health Ministry sources warned.

The number of suspected dengue cases islandwide in May alone is 775- a steep tumble from the 6343 in January.

Approximately 46.7% are from the Western Province. According to the Head, Epidemiology Unit, Dr Paba Palihawadana, the situation warranted "immediate removal of all mosquito breeding sites from the environment."

At least four districts reported over a thousand cases this month- Colombo (1881 suspected cases) Gampaha (1881), Batticaloa 1088 and Jaffna 1027, EPU sources said. The total number islandwide for May is 14012.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Municipal Council area recorded 1232 cases while other areas in Colombo reported a total of 2748. CMC sources said they were now intensifying their Mosquito Control programmes in all high risk areas within the city.

Chief Medical Officer, Mt Lavinia -Dehiwala and Ratmalana, Dr.Indika Ellawela said his officers were now doing indoor fogging within premises since most mosquito bites occur within the premises rather than outside them.

"Our PHI's personally visit over a hundred houses in the neighbourhood whenever a case is notified. This has resulted in a sharp drop in the number of cases in the past two months," he said.

Non -degradable items such as plastic yoghurt cups and discarded lunch sheets are the main cause for dengue spreading he said.