More cases of dengue were reported last month, compared with the corresponding period last year, but plans to spray BTI bacteria as part of the anti-Dengue campaign, has been delayed until January. This year, 37,500 suspected dengue cases were reported to the Epidemiology Unit (EU) from around the island, with 3,033 cases reported in October- [...]

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Dengue rises unabated while BTI spraying is delayed till January

By Sonja Candappa
Health minister decries lack of public cooperation in maintaining a clean home environment
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More cases of dengue were reported last month, compared with the corresponding period last year, but plans to spray BTI bacteria as part of the anti-Dengue campaign, has been delayed until January. This year, 37,500 suspected dengue cases were reported to the Epidemiology Unit (EU) from around the island, with 3,033 cases reported in October- an increase of 960 cases compared with October 2011.

There has been an overall increase in the number of suspected dengue cases in 2012, compared with the past two years, with a record high 5,959 reported in June, according to the EU.

A total of 34,105 and 28,473 dengue cases were reported in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Already, by mid November 2012, 3,395 more cases than in 2010 and 9,027 more cases than 2011, have been reported.
There is widespread fear that due to the present rainy conditions experienced around the country, these figures may increase sharply.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the decision to postpone aerial spraying of BTI bacteria, to January, was made because, according to reports, the maximum number of mosquitoes in the Western Province, are found in January.

There are two types of BTI. One is locally produced, while the other is imported from Cuba. At present, discussions are ongoing with the Cuban government regarding the process of spraying the bacteria, he explained.

Minister Sirisena said the aerial spraying of the BTI bacteria is a very costly project, so it has to be carried out at the correct time. On the previous occasion, the ministry imported 10,000 units of BTI at US$ 2,075,000. The next batch will definitely cost more.

Health Ministry’s Dengue Control Unit officials said that they fear the bacteria may not be totally effective, if it is sprayed during the rainy season.

The spraying of bacteria will start from Colombo and some areas in the Gampaha District and go island-wide next year, the minister said, adding that it will be conducted in a manner which will ensure the best possible result.

Minister Sirisena said that, while the Ministry and Health officials were working to control the dengue outbreak, it is the irresponsibility of the public that has led to the increase in the number of suspected dengue cases.

‘The ministry alone cannot clean the country; officials get assaulted by house owners when they search their premises. So it cannot be completed without the cooperation of the public. Once, a PHI was killed while doing his job, when a householder hit him with a gardening tool’ he said.

It is with the support of the Defence and Legal sectors that, at present, the epidemic is under control to a certain extent, the minister noted, adding that, in countries such as India and Mexico, dengue is out of control, with people dying daily of the disease.

The public should take this matter seriously, because it is in the best interest of their health. Therefore, it is important that the public keep their home gardens and the environment around them clean, so that, they may lead a safe and healthy lifestyle.




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