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Bacteria to fight dengue mosquito menace
By Sachitra Indivara Mahendra.
Government is studying the possibility of introducing a bacteria to contain the spread of dengue which has already claimed over 40 lives throughout the country, but health officials believe there are drawbacks in using such a method.

A committee consisting of Health Department officials, appointed by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana, is looking into the possibility of introducing the bacteria.

Dr. Indra Weerasinghe, Dr. Manel Yapa Bandara, Dr. Punsiri Fernando and Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe are the committee members.

One of the drawbacks of introducing the bacteria has been the cost. Its control or effective period lasts approximately 7 or 10 days, which means it should be introduced repeatedly.

The studies conducted by the Health Department committee show that in Ratnapura the effective period against mosquitoes was 10 days, while in Kandalama it was 7 days, and the same period in the Nugegoda, Dehiwala, and Moratuwa areas.

The committee is of the opinion that the use of the bacteria has its limits. Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, chief epidemiologist of the Health Ministry insists on keeping the country clean rather than rely on importing bacteria. According to him, no country has got rid of the mosquito menace by following only one method.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Municipal Council has imported the bacteria identified as Batillus Thuringiensis Israelensin (BTI) H 14 formulation from Cuba, to be used in the Colombo area, to battle the disease carrying mosquito. It is used in Cuba and Thailand.

Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, chief medical officer, Colombo Municipal Council, said that they use a locally produced BTI as well, to a limited extent. These bacteria are used in marshy areas and canals in the Colombo district.

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