DENGUE MENACE; PUBLIC SUPPORT MINIMUM, OFFICIALS LAMENT

Even though the number of dengue patients reported had decreased the overall situation is still dangerous, sources at the Dengue Control Unit said yesterday. Despite the decline in numbers, residents did not take measures to sustain the progress made by authorities. Sources said that even though Local Government officials took measures to clear the breeding grounds potential and the breeding grounds, they were forced to clear soon the areas after due to the lack of maintenance. “A dengue prevention week will also be conducted at September, the end of as there is a chance the number of patients will increase due to the monsoon. Dengue prevention programmes are also to be conducted at the end of the month and are aimed at keeping schools and the surrounding areas free of dengue breeding grounds,” the sources said. July saw the number patients of dengue spiking to 9,910 island wide. Nearly 3,000 patients were reported from the Colombo District, the highest number reported in the country, followed by Gampaha (1,285) (1,167) and Kandy Districts.fifty three dengue patients had been reported within the Colombo City limits, while other areas of the district had reported 345 patients. The Gampaha and Kalutara Districts reported 124 and 83 dengue patients respectively, revealed. sources Dengue patients within the Colombo City limits had been lower than the numbers reported from other parts of the district. The numbers increased to 583 in July but remained lower than the 645 reported in January. patients The number of reported from the district dipped to an all time low in May (693) but increased again with the weather condition,the Dengue Control Unit said.