The ongoing National Dengue Control Week has found 20 percent of the inspected premises to be potential dengue breeding sites, while two percent were positive for larvae, said Consultant Community Physician of National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Prashila Samaraweera.
“During the past three days, 362 premises nationwide were inspected for breeding and potential breeding sites,” she told the Sunday Observer.
Meanwhile, of around 16, 000 inspected premises in Colombo city, including houses, schools, construction sites and religious places, approximately 1,300 were potential breeding sites, while 120 premises were positive for mosquito larvae, said Medical Offer of Epidemiology and Statistics of Public Health Department, Colombo Municipal Council, Dr. Dinuka Guruge.
“Of the 57 schools inspected, three schools in Colombo North were positive for larvae. We corrected the situation immediately and sued these schools. Also, 80 per cent of the other premises positive for larvae have been corrected,” Dr. Guruge said.
Further, she said 300 notices were issued so far for premises that act as potential breeding sites. Also, a special programme of inspection for schools and religious places in Colombo was conducted yesterday ( 07).
As per statistics from Epidemiology Unit of The Ministry of Health, a total of 14609 dengue cases were recorded from January to March, 2018, with the highest number of cases, 2242, recording from Colombo district.
National Dengue Control Week was launched on April 3 and will conclude on April 9, where 3000 teams were deployed to inspect both existing and potential dengue breeding sites. Dr. Samaraweera said next National Dengue Control Week will be in September, although targeted campaigns will continue.