High dengue larvae presence in Colombo suburbs

By Dilanthi Jayamanne

A survey carried out in the month of October has revealed a high dengue larvae presence in the suburbs of Colombo . An entomological survey carried out in the Colombo District, in October, on the larvae density of the dengue breeding mosquito, revealed the need for people to take precautionary measures against dengue.

The survey carried out by the Entomological Department of the Medical Research Institute had revealed that the Aedes (Ae.) Larvae density in several parts of the Colombo district topped the Breteau index of two percent.

Sources said that a two percent larvae density did not pose a threat. However, areas like Piliyandala (15.5 percent), Kaduwela (8.7 percent), Ragama (8.5 percent) and Mahara (7.8 percent) recorded very high densities. They warned that it increased the risk of the spread of dengue in the Western province.

People should take precautions to clean their environment and premises at least once a week regularly. The high risk areas also include Dehiwela, Moratuwa and Maharagama, they said.

Sources said the survey had been carried out in Piliyandala, Dehiwela, Nugegoda, Moratuwa, Kaduwela, Kelaniya, Ja-ela, Ragama, Wattala, Mahara and Meerigama. The Ae. Larvae density in 2,215 places had been examined. 1,249 of them had mosquito breeding places while 165 places were larva positive places, they said.

The Total number of dengue patients recorded by the Epidemiology Unit from the beginning of the year till Tuesday (Nov. 22) in the entire country is 22,430.The Number recorded in Colombo District during the same period is 8,398. The total number of dengue patients recorded from the Colombo city from January 1 till date is 2,710.

Sources said that last year the EpidemiologyUnit had recoded over thirty thousand dengue cases in the country.

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