ATTIDIYA HIGH DENGUE RISK AREA

More than ten dengue positive patients diagnosed this year

More than ten dengue fever positive patients had been reported from Attidiya PHI Division in the Ratmalana MOH area this year and with this in view, MOH Dr. Indika Ellawala launched a crash programme to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Dr. Ellawala said a team of PHIS and other officers inspected 1,500 premises to find more than 200 possible dengue breeding grounds that were destroyed immediately with the help of the owners.

He said the owners of several home gardens were warned that they would be liable to legal action if they failed to clean their gardens to prevent mosquito breeding.

“I instructed the PHIS to take legal action against the individuals who ignored the warnings and repeatedly allowed dengue breeding grounds in their premises,” he said.

“Several businessmen were among them. Steps were taken to declare Attidiya PHI Division as a high-risk area of dengue and to fumigate or spray insecticide in the possible dengue breeding grounds including gutters, concrete slabs and side drain in the area. “The crash programme included the distribution of handbills to create public awareness on preventing the dengue mosquito breeding grounds and warning the people that they would be liable to legal action for neglecting their responsibility,” Dr. Ellawala said. Administrative PHI H.L.W. Perera, Field PHIS D.G.S.M. Kumaratunga (Attidiya), W.P. Rashmika, R.P.P.S. Rajapakse (Badowita) H.S. Caldera (Kotalawalapura), and Nuwan Madura (Kandawala) organised the inspections with the help of OIC Mount Lavinia Police Environmental Unit SI Sanjeewa Silva, and a team of officials of the Colombo Division DHS office.