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Dengue patrols find hundreds of breeding places in Colombo
View(s):More than 7,000 inspections have been done over two days in the Colombo city to help end killer dengue, health officials, said.
The chief medical officer of health at the Colombo Municipal Council, Dr Ruwan Wijeyamuni, said inspections were a part of a dengue eradication efforts on two days of every month.
Raids were done with the help of 720 officials, including health officers, public health inspectors, the military, and the environmental police from February 14-15.
Dr Wijayamuni said 850 potential dengue breeding places as well as 74 places with dengue larvae have been identified.
“We aim to reduce by 60 percent the dengue cases compared with 2017, and we believe we can achieve that,” he said.
“People should understand the danger of mosquito breeding places, or else our efforts will be in vain,” he said.
He warned of legal consequences for those who ignore public health advice.
Colombo North’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr Sasanka Ranasinghe said people should be mindful of containers that collect water inside the house.
He said that PHIs and MOHs regularly conduct raids as people need to be educated on the danger of dengue and sometimes forced to clean areas that could breed mosquitos.
“People should regularly check the tray behind the fridge, change the water in vases and check any other containers that collect water,” he said.
Dr. Ranasinghe and PHI officers on an inspection tour.
Pix by Ishanka Sunimal