Dengue outbreak looms large

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

Officials have warned of a dengue outbreak next month in Colombo due to the recent incessant rains and negligence of people to keep their environment clean.

The number of dengue infected cases in the Colombo city over the past 10 months has increased, compared to the corresponding period last year. Already, 669 cases have been reported so far this year while the figure last year was 656.

"In October alone, the number of reported cases rose to 70 over the corresponding period last year while October it was only 40," said Colombo Municipal's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam.

According to Dr. Kariyawasam, the worst affected areas are Colombo East and West which include Borella, Bambalapitiya and Kotahena.

According to the Health Ministry, the number of dengue cases islandwide has increased rapidly. It has risen to 8,700 over the past 10 months this year while it was only 5,650 cases last year.

He said the number of cases in Colombo was the highest. The second highest number of cases were reported from Gampaha and Kalutara.

He called upon the public to keep their environment clean and to prevent rain water collecting in empty containers leading to mosquito breeding.

Dr. Kariyawasam said the Municipal Council would take legal action against those who do not adhere to the Municipal Council's regulation to keep the environment mosquito free.

"A program to educate the public on the prevention of dengue is also under way with special emphasis on keeping them alert all the time," a spokesman said. The public does not seem to realise the importance of keeping the environment free of mosquito breeding all the time. "However they are concerned about dengue when the epidemic is high, but thereafter forget it. It is important that people should be alert all the time," he said.