Eradicating dengue:

Public, local Govt. bodies have role to play

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Department yesterday reiterated that the Health Ministry should not be blamed for the rise of the dengue epidemic and warned the public as well as local government institutions countrywide to adopt proper garbage disposal systems to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

According to Epidemiology Unit statistics, the death toll from Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever rose to 304, while the number of dengue patients rose to over 32,200. The highest number of patients were reported from Colombo, Matale, Vavuniya, Gampaha and Kandy.

Colombo National Hospital Epidemiologist, Dr. Sudath Peris told the Sunday Observer that although dengue could be cured with proper treatment, the public should be educated that no special drug or vaccine for dengue has so far been discovered. "It is up to the public to engage in day-to-day cleaning programs in their surroundings. Schoolchildren should also organise `Sramadana Campaigns' at school premises to destroy mosquito breeding sites," he said. Dr. Peris called upon all health authorities of Local Government and Provincial Councils, school authorities and area Police Civil Defence Forces personnel to take immediate measures to destroy mosquito breeding grounds, so that the epidemic could be wiped out. On the use of mosquito coils which are freely available in the market today, Dr. Peris said they too contain insecticides and different chemicals.

"It is up to the public to decide whether they want to take a risk when using mosquito coils", he said. Dr. Peris also appealed to both private and public sectors to keep a close tab on this most important matter and help the Government's `National Dengue Eradication Program', which was launched by the Health Department last year.