Reaches epidemic proportions:

Public support sought to keep dengue at bay

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The health experts, who warn of a severe outbreak of dengue fever worse than the outbreak in 2004, they seek more public support to keep the disease at bay.

The present outbreak reports a total of 7792 patients islandwide and 95 deaths, for the last five months. The epidemic showed a significant turn in April in its increase since the beginning of the year. The 2004 outbreak, that was in epidemic proportions, reported 15,463 patients and 87 deaths.

"Twelve districts are identified as high risk areas. This includes Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Kandy, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hambantota, Galle and Matara," a spokesperson for the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health said. According to the data the highest number of cases (1,200) have been reported from Colombo and Kandy districts.

"Cases are high in the urban areas and a significant number of dengue patients are reported from semi-urban areas, such as Embilipitiya and Tangalle," Dr. Nimalka Pannilahetti said.

To strengthen the national campaign, civil security committees are requested to assist the 1500 Public Health Inspectors on duty islandwide, Dr. Nimalka Pannilahetti, Head of the Dengue Control Unit of the Ministry said."We are conducting special sessions to educate the members of these committees and these sessions will be carried out islandwide giving priority to the 12 high risk districts," she said.

"People have now forgotten the precautions initiated during previous outbreaks and this is the main reason for the present epidemic condition," Dr. Pannilahetti said. Accordingly, unplanned building constructions, environment problems such as uncontrolled garbage disposal are identified as the other main causes for the present rise in dengue cases. "Public need is to take more responsibility in the campaign," she added. "The mosquito, `Aedes aegypti' will be present within an area of 500 meters radius and every person should be responsible not only to keep their gardens but also to keep the entire environment clean," she added.

Starting from yesterday the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has launched a special epidemic control programme in every Grama Niladhari division of the district with the help of the Local Government Officials, Engineers of the Pradeshiya Sabha for solid waste and drainage system management, Grama Niladaris and Medical Officers of Health," Chief Medical Officer CMC Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said.