Health Ministry decides to attack dengue from the air

Aerial attacks on mosquitoes are the Government's latest strategy to counter the dengue menace that has taken a toll of 30,473 victims and 110 lives since January this year.

Aerial spraying of the larvicide Bti bacteria, using Air Force helicopters is to take place during the last two weeks of October in Colombo, DehiwalaMount Lavinia and Nugegoda areas where the majority of cases have been reported, said a senior Health Ministry official.

The Health Ministry’s Dengue Control Unit Director Dr. Ran- jith Batuwanthudawe said in the whole of last year ( 2011) 28,140 were reported cases and 186 deaths reported.

Colombo District has recorded 6,938 cases while 5,790 cases were reported in Gampaha District and 2,073 in Kalutara District.

“Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matara Districts are recording a rapid increase while the Colombo City is experiencing a 15 percent decrease, said Dr. Batuwanthudawe.

He said the only preventive action is to eliminate all potential mosquito breeding sites.

Water typically collects and stagnates in discarded rubber tyres, plastic containers, coconut shells, blocked gutters, bird baths, foliage and flower pots. Mosquito bites can be avoided with the use of mosquito repellents, mosquito coils, protective nets over beds, use of ointments and wearing protective clothing.

Fever, headache, exhaustion, severe pain in joints and muscles, aching eyes, swollen glands and rashes are the main symptoms of dengue fever. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness.

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