Rains bring on a rise in Dengue patients

351 cases reported in July alone

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said 39 cases of Dengue Fever had been reported yesterday alone from the Colombo Municipality area.

CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said of the 39 patients reported from the city, 15 were from Colombo North area, adding that 351 Dengue patients had been reported so far this month.

“For a single day 39 patients were reported. This is quite a number for a single day. So far there are 351 cases reported for the month of July which is higher than last year.” he said.

The CMC stated that most of the patients were reported from Grandpass, Modera and Bloemendhal areas. He said the Council was focusing more on the Colombo North area as a higher number of dengue patients was reported from there.

“With the existing rainy weather the possibility of Dengue spreading is more. We are focusing on this and we have launched many programmes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Subash Mendis said the special Dengue programme organised by District 03 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area of the Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department launched yesterday was a success.

He said some 603 houses and institutions were inspected in Cinnamon Gardens, Barnes Place, Borella South, Kuppiyawatta by the health officers.

“Public Health Officers accompanied by Police officers investigated establishments. 61 houses were advised to take precautions to eradicate mosquito breeding places and we filed court cases against 6 establishments,” he said.

He said the areas of Cinnamon Gardens, Borella South, Dematagoda and Kuppiyawatta East would be inspected today and added that if they got enough manpower they would also inspect the areas in Wanathamulla also.

The investigations were being carrying out by the Health officers under the instructions of Colombo Municipal Council Medical officer Pradeep Kariyawasam and Deputy Medical Officer Mahinda Balasuriya.

Colombo DIG Gunawardhena was directing the investigations.

He also said the MOH was hoping to map out places identified as mosquito breeding places with the help of the Google map facility given to the officers.

The last day of the campaign was tomorrow.

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel