Colombo MC yet grappling with dengue

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday warned the public to be vigilant of a possible increase in the incidence of dengue because of the heavy rains being experienced now. “The number of dengue patients reported this year to date is somewhat lesser than the cases reported for the same period last year. With the rains the number will increase eventually; so the public should be vigilant,’ CMC Chief

The cleaning and maintenance of some areas in the city that had been given to private companies is not satisfactorily performed

Health Officer Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam said. He also said that municipal health officers were continuing inspections mainly of public areas and requested the public to maintain their gardens well.

The CMC inspections during the National Dengue Week commenced on April 1 and ended with the filing of court cases against several schools after they were found with mosquito breeding places. “We have asked the school principals to reopen the schools after eradicating mosquito breeding places. If each class was assigned to clean their own area, the school could keep clean,” he said.

He also noted that the cleaning and maintenance of some areas in the city that had been given to private companies was not satisfactorily performed. “If these contractors continue to neglect what they have undertaken to do, we may have to take action against them,” he said.

Meanwhile Kelaniya Medical Health Office and Gampaha Dengue Special Task Force had filed cases against 18 persons when their premises were found with mosquito breeding places.

Chief Medical Officer Wasantha Rajapaksa said 35 notices were issued against people for maintaining their gardens in a manner hazardous to health.