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Dengue cases surpass 160,000, short-handed inspectors seek public support
View(s):Despite warnings of a possible dengue outbreak due to seasonal rains, the public has become complacent about keeping their premises clean, health officials say.
A Chinese workman fogging the premises of a construction site he works at in Puttalam. Pic by Hiran Priyankara
Dengue infections now exceed an unprecedented 160,000 and there is no sign of slowing down. There is also a shortage of at least 2,000 public health inspectors.
The law related to prevention of mosquito breeding requires home owners to keep their premises clean, but private residences can not be inspected without the permission of the owner, or occupier.
Senior Public Health Inspector, N Shantha de Silva, of the Dehiwala, Mt Lavinia Urban Council, said old habits have re-emerged and many people have been fined.
“There are instances when one site owner has been fined twice. We impose the maximum fine,’’ he said. Minor offenders are warned, but when mosquito larvae is found, fines are imposed.
Recent data from the Epidemiology Unit show that the number of cases reported during the first two weeks of October was 2,261. The total number of cases as at October 13, was 161,494.
The secretary of the Public Health Inspectors Union, Siripala Kapipearachichi, said there is still a shortage of PHIs. “I was made aware that there are a lot of vacancies for PHIs in the Southern Province.’’
Mr Kapipearachchi, said there are between 1,800 and 2,000 PHIs island-wide and an equal number is needed to cover the shortage.
Mr Kapipearachchi, said that the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act, No 11 of 2007 restricts entry to certain premises. However, amendments are now with the Legal Draftsman’s Department.
Dr Preshila Samaraweera, the consultant community physician of the National Dengue Control Unit, told the SundayTimes, that the public has been warned of a possible dengue outbreak. “It is a normal phenomena that when an issue is on the decline, people tend to forget, but dengue cannot be overlooked.’’ She urged people to keep premises clean.