Death breeds in garbage piles

More than 23,000 confirmed dengue cases have been reported islandwide in the first two and half months with almost 41 per cent from the Western Province, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health.

The number of cases has surpassed the 13,819 cases in the first three months of last year.

Last year in March, the number of dengue cases reported islandwide was 2,686, but this month, 5,790 cases have been reported so far.

Dengue fever has claimed 40 lives in less than three months islandwide.

Health officials says piles of garbage that have become mosquito breeding grounds in the capital is a cause for serious concern.

Dr Preshila Samaraweera, Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said the best way to contain and eliminate dengue is to prevent the breeding of mosquito larvae.